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 430 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr. John Harvey Finlayson IX controlling the literary depiirtnient of the South Australian Register through many trving years, Mr. Finlayson proved himself to be one of our most enlightened and capable citizens. His energy, perspicuity, and intimate acquaintance with local affairs have been of the greatest scM-vice to the paper and to the public, whose interest it is its aim to promote. The editor of a widely-circulating newspaper, as he sits, unseen, in his sanctum, may be compared to the hidden steam that moves the engine ; and it is to be remarked of the subject of this notice that in his literary capacity he has shown himself perfectly content to merge his identity in the paper with which he is associated. Mr. J. H. Finlayson, who is of Scotch parentage, was born on February 3, 1843, at " Helen- holme," Mitcham, South Australia. His father (the late Mr. William Finlayson, who arrived in the Province in F'ebruary, 1837, fired with a desire to evangelise the aborigines of the Province) had been engaged in farming since 1840. Thus Mr. Finlayson, like two of his partners, is descended from a pioneer colonist. He first attended the school of the late Mr. George Mugg, at whose feet Hammer ^ Co., Photo Several young men, who have afterwards occupied prominent positions in South Australian public life — notably the Hon. Thomas Playford, ex- Premier and ex -Agent -General — learnt their first school lessons. He proved an apt scholar, and in due course imbibed all the knowledge that his teacher could impart. At the age of 16 years he entered the Adelaide Educational Institution, conducted by the late Mr. J. L. Young, also distinguished for its successful pupils. By dint of much natural ability and close application to his studies, he made his mark in this establishment, carrying off prizes in many subjects, including Latin, German, Geometry, Political Economy, Moral Philosophy, Geography, History, and English Composition. It IS noteworthy that Mr. Finlayson warmly recognises his obligation to Mr. Young, an