Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/461

 ^'^•"•D.Geii ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 435 mayoral chair ; and it was mainly through his exertions at that time the mail steamers put into Glenelg for two years longer than was intended. In 1885-6 Mr. Cell was Vice-President of the Municipal Association of South Australia. Mr. Cell twice essayed to enter the Legislative Assembly for the District of Sturt ; but both times he was defeated, though only by small majorities. The governing purpose of Mr. Cell's life has apparently been that of improving the mental and moral standing of the people ; and he undoubtedly has the satisfaction of knowing that his disinterested efforts in this direction have borne good fruit. The earnestness, frankness, and simplicity of Mr. Cell's character make him exceedingly popular wherever he is known. Mr. Thomas Robert Bright burn at Cawler on March 15, 1852. In ges were rare, but the parents of Mr. Bright, observing the signs of ability MR. BRICHT was burn at Cawler on March 15, 1852. In his early days educational advantages we in their son, exercised a wise forethought in this matter, and the best opportunities afforded in the Province were availed of Mr. Bright was sent first to the school conducted by Mr. L. S. Burton, whence he passed to Mr. J. M. Mitchell's Colonial PIducational Institute. On leaving school he was articled, in the year 1867, to Mr. F". F. Turner, solicitor, who at present fills the post of .Solicitor to the Lands and Titles Commissioners, Registrar- General, etc. After some time spent with Mr. Turner, he served under Messrs. Way & Brook, a firm which possessed at its head the future Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Co vernor ol South Australia. Having completed his articles, Mr. Bright was admitted to the Bar, and shortly afterwards commenced practice at Clare, which was at that time the trade centre of the Northern Areas. Mr. Bright's ability as a barrister soon won for him a wide connection, and he built up a practice which became in a very brief time the largest north of Adelaide. While in Clare Mr. Bright exhibited considerable interest in public matters, with the result that the ratepayers placed him in the honorable and responsible position of Mayor, and he was asked to stand for Parliament, Mr. P. P. Gillen, who was afterwards to obtain fame as Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Kingston Ministry, offering to retire in his favor. Mr. Bright was, however, determined to stand aloof from politics, and he declined the proffered honor. This decision he adhered to, although the request was afterwards repeated. After a period of 15 years spent at Clare, Mr. Bright decided to try a city practice. Mr. Bright's energies, after his removal to Adelaide, were devoted more particularly to mining law, and in this branch he has excelled. As an able solicitor and barrister, a citizen of integrity and active energy, and as a genial and courteous gentleman, Mr. Bright reflects credit upon the Province which gave him birth.