Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/514

 488 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr. Charles Richard Morris '"T^HE chief port of ;i country is the gateway to the kiiiodom of commerce; and it J[ is well that there are men at the civic hehn in these towns who are closely allied with the mercantile interests of the community, for, on account of their business training, they thoroughly know the requirements of the locality. Charles Richard Morris, whose name is identified with the progress of Port Adelaide, the chief sea-gate of South Australia, was born at Noarlunga, South Australia, on March 13, 1863, his grandfather having been a pioneer merchant in the latter years of the "forties." Young Morris completed his education privately in Adelaide; and in 1876 entered the office of Messrs. Robin & Hack, timber merchants, of Port Adelaide. Steady application, and a deter- mination to get on in the world, ensured him a few years later the position of head accountant in the office, and in 1886 he became part proprietor with his whilom fellow - employe, Mr. Theophilus J. Walter, who had joined the firm some three years before Mr. Morris. The Sarnia Timber Yard, which they had become possessed of, is an establishment of 2i?i years' standing in the Port, having been launched in 1865 by Captain LeMe.ssurier and Mr. Theophilus Robin. In those days Port Adelaide was little more than a swamp lined with mangroves, and most people who bought town sites had to import the "land" there afterwards. Consequently a large sum of money had to be spent in filling up the swampy site before the timber yard could be established. In after years Mr. Robin bought out the interest of Captain LeMessurier, and continued the business until 187/I. when he died. Mr. Theodore Hack now became associated with the executors of Mr. Robin, and the business was carried on under the name of Robin & Hack. Trade increased, and the firm opened branches in various parts of the Province ; but, a period of depression setting in, the firm met with severe financial reverses. The result was that Hammer (s^ Co., Photo