Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/503

 H°"JM^«i" ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 477 Mr. Martin was a useful representative in Parliament for the district. Here, also, he did what he could, and he did it conscientiously and with the best motives. For four years, 1865-8, he represented Barossa in the House of Assembly, and in 1885 he was elected to the Legislative Council for the North-Eastern District. Taking a close interest in the debates, and being a keen practical man who was listened to with attention and respect, he was often able to decide the fate of a measure by his advice and influence. Privately his character was as sturdy, intelligent, and kindly as publicly. He died on December 27, 1899, at the ripe age of '/']. The Rev. Henry Girdlestone, M.A. IT was on July 15, 1847, that the Collegiate School of St. Peter was opened to a moderate attendance of pupils. The early struggles were so successfully and quickly overcome that improved buildings were in course of erection two years later, and on May 24, 1849, Bishop .Short laid the foundation stone of the jiresent attractive structure. The group of buildings now comprising the College is located in handsome grounds, tastefully laid out and furnished with trees, and containing 30 acres of play ground. Among the additions to the original building are new schoolrooms, a chapel, a gymnasium, and a fives court. At present there is accommodation for 50 boarders. Among the headmasters, since the inception of the College, have been gentlemen of great culture and talent ; and among the "old boys" are some of the most prominent men of the Province. The present Headmaster, Mr. Henry Girdlestone, M.A., has as yet sojourned but a short while in South Australia, but not too short for the recognition that his abilities and capacities are of a high order. Henry Girdlestone was born at Penkridge, Staffordshire, P^ngland, in 1863, but spent nearly all his early life at Bathampton. Mr. Girdlestone attended the Bath College for some years, and in 1882 he entered at Magdalen College, Oxford. He pursued a bright University career, and in 1886 obtained his B.A. degree. In 1889 he took his M.A. degree with honors in Mathematics and Natural Science. P'or two years, 1885-6, he was stroke of the victorious University Plight. Upon leaving Oxford, Mr. Girdlestone was for two years private tutor to Lord Ashtown, after which he accepted a mastership at Bath College, his old school. At the end of 1893 Bishop Kennion offered him the appointment of Headmaster of St. Peter's College, Adelaide, which he accepted, and in February, 1894, he arrived in this Province to take up his new duties. During the ensuing years he has more than sustained the reputation of the College, and has won for himself general good will. It is certain that the destiny of the old College will not suffer under his superior supervision.