Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/579

 ADELAIDE AND VICINErY 55^ ^ The late Mr. William Robert Swan ARRIVING in South Australia when pastoral pursuits were confined to the Middle North, Central, and Port Lincoln Districts of the Province, the late Mr. W. R. Swan became one of the most eneroetic followers of the industry in the remote areas. His acres and stock were not confined to one Colony, nor to a square mile or two of country. He was born in Northumberland, England, in 1 82 1, and came to .South Aus- tralia in 1847. Mr. .Swan was engaged by Mr. J. H. Angas, and subsequently became manager for Mr. Price Maurice, of the Port Lincoln and Pekina .Stations. After this he travelled through the unsettled country, and ex- perienced quite a number of dangers and vicissitudes. In one instance, with two servants, he encountered a native tribe, who knew nothing of the white people and their ways. The ignorant blacks might be accused of imagining that the Centaurs had settled in Australia, for they believed Mr. Swan and the horse on which he was mounted were one. Their astonishment and consternation were great when he dismounted. He narrowly escaped being murdered on Hammer ^ Co., Photo .1 * U .. another occasion : he was at- tacked by two blacks, and while one clung on his back, the other belabored him with a stick. During these experiences Mr. Swan acciuired considerable knowledge of South Australian country, and also of the management of stock. He purchased Warungla Station, and soon became an extensive pastoralist. Although he experienced severe reverses, he proved so excellent a manager, and so discreet a judge of country and sheep and investments, that he got to be one of the principal followers of the industry in South Australia. With Mr. R. Parr Smith he accjuired tht; Eowler Hay run, and conducted it until it was resumed by the Government and cut u[) into agricultural areas. With the same gentleman, K K