Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/525

 Mr.s.Newiand ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 499 the most part remote from the world, and had to look within for any pleasure and relaxation. Occasionally relief was found in the marauds of the bushrangers, to catch whom many a famous ride has been made, and to outwit whom provided reflective occupation for many weeks. For 20 years Mr. Newland managed his Darling run. He experienced fat and lean years ; quick accumulations of wealth, and quicker disposals of it. He had to face struggles and bitter disappointments, but, on the whole, the station proved profitable, and eventually, with some relief, he found himself able to appoint a manager and return to South Australia to reside. This closed another stage in his career ; though he is still part owner of the Darling run. Parliamentary government now attracted Mr. Newland's attention, and in 1881 he was elected to represent Encounter Bay in the House of Assembly of South Australia. He thus became member for the district wherein he had spent his youth. F"or two successive Parliaments he faithfully served his constituents. In Sir John Downer's first Ministry he held the portfolio of Treasurer, a position which he filled with credit for twelve months. He was a gifted politician, but not one who would truckle to popular clamor or trim to win a vote. His great forte was his political pamphlets, which — clear, incisive, and clever — carried weight with his party and the public. A good speaker, he was a better writer, and his pamphlets were powerful and successful. In 1889 Mr. Newland visited PLngland. During all his many and romantic experiences he had been storing up a mass of information, and slowly, in later years, he conceived the purpo.se of writing a novel. He had ample ■data at hand, and he applied himself to reducing it to wholesome and attractive dimensions. In the comparative inactivity of recent years he has devoted himself more and more to his object, and thus, when nearly 60 years of age, he published one of the best of Australian long stories. In 1893 he went to England a second time, and made the necessary arrangements. The new book was particularly well received in the f)ld country, and the Australian edition was rapidh bought up. " Paving the Way," the title of the book in question, combines an exciting narrative with lifelike descriptions of scenery, characters, and adventures. It is the fruit of careful effort and personal experience, and is stamped with truth. The story includes descriptions of shipwreck, struggles with natives, whaling, squatting, droving, bushranging, and even love matters ! Mr. Newland has also written a number of short stories, and all of them are pregnant with the same peculiar strain of interest which distinguishes his first big effort. It is not often that a new author of nearly 60 years of age gains the support of a considerable proportion of the reading world. As a record in part of his own life, Mr. Newland no doubt found as much pleasure in writing " Paving the Wav " as do his readers in perusing it ; and it must be said that the work has gained him a prominent place among Australian authors. Since the above was written Mr. Newland's new book, " Blood Tracks of the Bush," has appeared. The reviews have been many and complimentary. We regret that space will not allow us to devote more attention to the work now, but we have seen enough to assure us that it will sustain the reputation the author has already gained. It has been widely pronounced not inferior to his first book, " Paving the W^ay."