Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/471

 Dr T. K. Hamilton ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 445 Weak-minded Children, which was established as a result of the vigorous and disinterested efforts of the late Mr. George Ash, M.P. As a strong supporter of religious and philanthropic institutions, and as a courteous, honorable. Christian gentleman, Dr. Hamilton's name is cherished throughout South Australia ; and his fame has reached even wider fields. Thus a career, brief in years, has been crowded with honors and successes. Mr. G. P. Doolette OF the influential South Australians now resident in England, Mr. Doolette is among the best known. He was for many years a leading business man in Adelaide, and held large interests in pastoral pro])erties and mining companies. Latterly he has been prominently identified with Western Australian mining, and is one of the chief friends of the Western goldfields in London. George Philip Doolette was born at Sandford, near Dublin, in 1840, and came to South Australia with his parents in 1855. In his native land he was for two years engaged in the soft goods trade, and upon his arrival here, turned to this occupation. He was for two and a half years connected with the firm of McNichol and Young, as cashier, after which he joined the firm of A. Macgeorge & Co., of Hindley Street and King William Streets, proving himself so useful an officer that, after nine years, he was admitted to a partnership. Some time later, Mr. Macgeorge retired, and Mr. Doolette obtained sole control of the business, which, established in 1849, became the leading one of its kind in Adelaide. In 1865 he married Mary, the eldest daughter of Mr. George McEwin, of Glen PLwin, a lady whose sweet disposition and sympathetic nature endeared her to a large circle of friends. In 1890 she passed away, after a serious illness, leaving him with a son and daughter, who are now living. Mr. Doolette invested in pa.storal properties, and purchased an interest in Narrung Station, which he afterwards sold to Mr. Philip Charley ; and was interested in other stations. When the Broken Hill silver fields were developing, he became a considerable speculator and investor in mines there and in other colonies. Live years ago he proceeded to England, and floated in London properties acquired by the Coolgardie Mining and Pro.specting Company, such as the famous Great Boulder and Associated Mines. Since then he has taken up his residence in England, and interests himself largely in Western Australian mining companies, many of which he has assisted in floating. He is a Director of the Great Boulder and Associated Mining Companies. Mr. Doolette is a valuable adherent of the Congregational Church. He was for years a deacon of the North Adelaide Church, and was, in 1885, elected President of the Congregational Union of South Australia ; and was also Vice-president of the Young- Men's Christian Association, and Treasurer of the London Missionary Society. In England he married a daughter of the late Dr. Dale, the eminent Birmingham Congregational divine. Such was Mr. Doolette's ability that he was frequently asked to stand for a seat in the South Australian Parliament or in the Adelaide City Council, but declined. His friends at this end of the globe retain a high opinion of his worth and character, for absence does not dull the memory of his useful qualities.