Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/443

 Mr. J. Darling, sen. ADELAIDE AND VlClNriV 41; readiest market for the local product, Mr. Darling visited Flngland and America, and opened up new markets, popularising the products of the wheat fields of the Province in the principal consuming countries in the world. Large argosies have been s(nt forth from South Australia by the firm, which obtains its wheat at first hand frcjin the farmers by establishing branches in the principal districts. I'pon Mr. Darling, sen., must be conferred the credit of establishing an institution of vast importance to South Australia. Mr. Darling's political career began in 1870, when he was elected for West Adelaide for a seat in the House of Assembly. He only remained in the House for one year on this occasion, but again sat for West Adelaide in 1876 and 1877. In 1878 he was returned for the District of Yatala, retired in 1880, and did not re-enter Parliament until May, 1885, when he was chosen as representative for Stanley. Li May, 1887, he headed the poll among 10 candidates for the representation of the Northern District in the Legislative Council, and he continued in th-e Upper House for ten years, when he retired from politics and from business. Sound in judgment, and possessed of a wide knowledge of South Australia gained in the pursuit of his large business, Mr. Darling as a legislator was very useful to the Province. He supported the interests of the farming community, and no one understood their requirements better than he. Although not a frequent speaker in Parliament, his utterances carried weight, and it could never be said that he spoke to the gallery ; his opinions were based too firmly on experience to permit him to vacillate for votes. Li June, 1885, he accepted the portfolio of Commissioner of Public W'orks in the Ministry of Sir John Downer ; but as he retired from the Government in October of the same year, he had litttle opportunity to prove his worth as an administrator. He was a useful member of several Select Committees and Royal Commissions, that on the coal contracts and wharfingering being appointed on his initiative. In philanthropic circles Mr. Darling's name is favorably known in Adelaide, and among other donations was the sum of ^500 given towards the erection of the City Mission Hall in Light Square. He is a prominent supporter of the Caledonian Society, and was elected to the office of Chief He was prominent in establishing the beautiful cricket oval in Adelaide, and is father of the brilliant left-hand batsman, "Joe Darling." Since his retirement Mr. Darling has resided in Melbourne. In private, as well as in industrial circles, his name carries general respect in South Australia. Mr. John Creswell AMONG the leading figures in the Australasian Cricket Council has long been a representative of South Australia, Mr. John Creswell, the Honorary Secretary. He was born at Woodville, South Australia, on December 8, 1858, and attended St Peter's College for some time. Upon the conclusion of his college career he became associated in business with the late Mr. V. S. C. Driffield, local manager of the National Eire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand. Mr. Creswell, upon the death of Mr. Driffield in 1889, succeeded to the business and the various positions attached to it. Two years later he became Secretary of the South Australian Cricketing Association. He helped to form the South Australian Eootball Association in 1876, and was for many years its Secretary.