Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/448

 422 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr. C. Drew various offices and helped with liberal donations. In 1882 he left Moonta and returned to the Burra, and the occasion was marked by very flattering testimonies to his character from his fellow-citizens. He now conducted the business in the Burra, from which Mr. John Drew retired in 1882. and of which Mr. Thomas Drew was now the other remaining partner. The firm of Samuel Drew & Co. possessed some historical importance, for it was associated with the opening up of pastoral stations, which it supplied with rations and other necessaries. As the argentiferous richness of Broken Hill became more and more a certainty, the firm's connection with that centre increased. They were among the earliest storekeepers in the Barrier mining town ; and as the railway line was being pushed on thither, they were large provisioners of the men engaged in its construction, Cockburn being the principal distributing centre. In 1890 Messrs. Drew disposed of their retail business, and Mr. Charles Drew took up his residence at Gilberton, near Adelaide, with an office in Broken Hill Chambers, King William Street, Adelaide. The firm was now- confined to the wholesale trade, having a large connection with the Barrier. Mr. Charles Drew was among the early shareholders in the famous Broken Hill Proprietary Mine, and was for a time on the directorate. He was also largely interested in Western Australian gold mines, in which he proved himself a fearless investor, and one whose support was of material advantage to the industry. In his later years Mr. Drew continued his liberal support of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He occupied all the offices open to a layman, and contributed largely out of his wealth to various churches. He was a liberal supporter of missionary work, and, at his own expense, fitted out a mission steam launch for work in the Fiji Islands. He spent ^2,000 in the erection of cottages for the shelter of impecunious pioneers, and was a life member of the Children's Hospital, a member of committee of the South Australian Eemah^ Refuge, and Vice-president of the Council of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Societv. When Mr. Charles Drew died at Gilberton in October, 1896, profound expressions of regret came from various parts of the Province, and the bereaved family was afforded ample evidence of the esteem in which the late gentleman was held. He had lived a true and worthy life, and had given much for the weal and good of his fellows. He was of a sturdy, shrewd, sympathetic type of character, and was a keen judge of his fellows and their capabilities. ^ Mr. R. J. Coombs DURING the harvest of the jxistoralist, the firm of Messrs. R. j. Coombs & Co., was in considerable prominence in .South Australia. The firm is one of the principal agencies for the receipt and .sale of wool, and their auctions are largely attended by buyers and sellers. Mr. R. J. Coombs, who was made a Justice of the Peace some years ago, was born in Adelaide in August, 1853. He received early instruction at the Rev. W. .S. Moore's Grammar .School, and later tuition at .St. Peter's College. After .serving an apprenticeship to mercantile affairs for some years, he established, about 20 years ago, the wool-broking firm of R. J. Coombs & Co., one of the most important concerns in that line in the Province. For two years he occupied the mayoral chair of St, Peters municipality.