Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/582

 556 ADKI.AIDE AND VICINITY Mr. wxhcnas his Cornish home, and the ambitions of the young miner became directed to the opportunities afforded to men of skill and training in this Province. Armed with guarantees of qualification and competence as a miner, he set sail, in his twenty-eighth year, for Port Adelaide, arriving there in the ship Peeress in 1865. Soon after reaching South Australia, however, Mr. Thomas's original intention of following the mining industry was abandoned, other opportunities for advancement in the young Province offering themselves. Accordingly, he became associated with the well-known milling and wheat-buying business conducted by Messrs. John Dunn & Co. His energy. industry, and business abilities soon attracted the notice of his employers, and he was given the management of the office in the business at Port Adelaide, where the chief trade centred. He retained that position for many years, conducting it to the high satisfaction of his employers, and to the material advancement of the industry. In 1878 Mr. Thomas resigned his post with Messrs. Dunn & Co., having decided to commence business for himself in partnership with his old schoolmate, shipmate, and brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Grose. He proceeded accordingly in that year to England, accompanied by his son, Mr. Henry Thomas, and Mr. Grose. Some months were spent in the old country in obtaining considerable insight into matters connected with the milling trade, and in purchasing a plant with which the partners subsequently started their business in Leadenhall Street, Port Adelaide, trading in the name of William Thomas & Co. Although the industry was conducted at first on a small scale, the trade soon grew under competent management, and in 1887 new premises were erected, a new plant obtained, and the present improved roller-mills made their appearance. From time to time the firm has watched the progress of roller-milling machinery, and has frequently added the latest inventions in order that the high reputation of its "Standard Roller" Flour might be maintained. In spite of bad seasons and other unfavorable circumstances, the business thus established continued to flourish; and at his death in 1891, Mr. William Thomas closed a career which had resulted in financial success, and had throughout been characterised by integrity and ability. The pioneer who fights in the forefront of colonisation, builds up industries, and clears the way for his successors, is seldom able to spare time for public matters ; and Mr. Thomas was compelled to limit his exertions in the public interest. Yet his private moments were not all devoted to the quiet rest and enjoyment to which he might justly have felt himself entitled, but were given to the sacred cau.se of religion, and to the generous support of philanthropy. F"rom earliest boyhood he was associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and much interested in Sunday-school work. Before he had reached his majority we find he was entrusted with the superintendency of a school of over 400 children, and he maintained amongst them a kind but firm discipline that characterised his own actions throughout his after life. He became a local preacher in connec- tion with the Port Adelaide Circuit shortly after he entered the Province, and maintained his position until failing health compelled him to retire shortly before his decease. His .sermons bore evidence of much study and strong religious zeal, to which he added a practical sympathy, which took the form of liberal financial support. He had his social recommendations also, and was widely revered as a cheery, courteous, intelligent, and benevolent gentleman.