Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/557

 Mr. A. M. Simpson ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 531 A man with a wide experience of local commercial interests is eminently useful in Parliament, and in June, 1887, Mr. Simpson was elected by the Central District to a seat in the Legislative Council. His election was exciting, and suggestive of the repute in which he was held. He came out on the very last day of the nominations, and was returned at the head of the poll. There were seven candidates, and the Hon. J. H. Angas held a position on the poll next to Mr. Simpson. For over six years the latter served his electors faithfully in Parliament. Of a Conservative nature in politics, he was a bold speaker, declaring his earnest opinions whether they pleased or not. He would not curry favor of his constituents by saying one thing and believing another. Mr. Simpson took an active interest in the Jubilee Exhibition in Adelaide in 1887. He was President of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, and a member of the first committee of the Australian National Union— the forerunner of the Australian Natives' Association. He is an earnest student and disciple of Freemasonry. In 1883 he took an active part in establishing the Grand Lodge of South Australia. He is at present President of the Board of General Purposes, a Past Deputy Grand Master, and a Past Master of the Mostyn Lodge, and of the lodges under the old constitution. Mr. Simpson has served a faithful stewardship in the Province. In business, in politics, in semi-social functions, and among his friends, he is highly respected, not only for his strength of character and judgment, but for his manliness and uniform kindness Mr. David Lindsay, F.R.G.S. FOR the past score or so of years exploration has been chieBy conducted by pastoralists and private travellers. Only a few large and officially equipped parties have been sent out. Of these latter, one led by Mr. David Lindsay has been the most important. He was born at Goolwa, .South Australia, in 1856. Moved by an adventurous spirit, Mr. Lindsay determined to engage in exploring work; and in June, 1882, he .severed his connection with the Government, and conducted private mining surveys for about 12 months. He was now given charge of a Government exploring party. Mr. Lindsay set out in 1883, accompanied by three white men and two black boys, with 32 horses. The natives in the territory he traversed were particularly dangerous. Near Castlereagh Bay a tribe of aborigines drove off all the horses of the party. About 300 blacks attacked Mr. Lindsay and party, but the use of blue fire and firearms secured the safety of the explorers. A journey to the south-western districts of South Australia followed this exploring (expedition, and Mr. Lindsay succeeded in finding a road from the coast to the Warburton Ranges. When the South Australian branch of the Australasian Geographical Society accepted the offer of the late Sir Thomas Elder to equip a ])arty to explore certain unknown tracts in South and Western Australia, Mr. Lindsay was appointed leader The season was unpropitious, necessitating several changes in plan of route, but ultimately he reached the Murchison, where dis.sensions resulted in the disbandment of the party ; but Mr. Lindsay was exonerated from all blame as the result of an inquiry held in Adelaide. After residing in Coolgardie for a short period, and paying two visits to England in comicction with llotation of mining properties, he has again returned to Adelaide.