Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/589

 ADELArOE AND VICINITY 56.3 Mr. John Tidmarsh THE richness of the alluvial goldfields of Victoria redounded to the advantaj^re not only of that colony, but of every member of the Australian (rou|). After their mining days, thousands of diggers scattered over the continent, established sheep- stations and farms, or engaged in business of one kind or another. Nothing but the presence of a fabulously wealthy goldfield would have attracted this multitude to the colonies at that time ; and though they generally intended to return to their birth- places when their mining days were over, they changed their minds when they experienced the salubrity of the Australian climate and the diverse opportunities the new country offered to those possessed of industry and brains. The Victorian goldfields, in the prosperity which they brought, substantially afforded Mr. John Tidmarsh the opportunity of de- veloping an industry in Adelaide. He was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, on January 17, 1824. He was educated at Dr. Radclifif's school in that centre, and gained a good deal of experience in the old country as a land and railway surveyor. At the age of 17 years he entered the late Mr. Anthony's office in the City of Dublin, as uryea, oto assistant draughtsman in architec- ture. There he received such excellent instruction that he was soon able to secure an appointment to the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. While thus engaged he met the late Professor Tyndall, and they lived together for two years. On the completion of the survey of Ireland, Mr. Tidmarsh proceeded to E^ngland under the same service, where he engaged in field work in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland ; and a very delightful time he spent in these famous counties. This was in the period of the railway mania. Surveyors and engineers were wanted everywhere, and splendid offers were made to Mr. Tidmarsh, one of which he eventually accepted. He first assisted to make the Parliamentary surveys of the West Riding Union Railway, now the Lancashire and Yorkshire line, with some i.