Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/593

 Dr.w.G.Torr ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 567 two sessions been distributing his energies between two F'aculties, Law and Arts — a self-imposed task, which needed not merely a clear head, but a long memory. In June, 1890, he passed his first examination for Law Tripos in the University of Cambridge. After this success he went to Dublin to study under Mr. John Dockrill, M.A., one of the best "coaches" at Dublin University. During his sojourn there he was proposed for a call to the Bar at the Inner Temple by His Honor Mr. Justice Bristowe, and his admission to the English Bar followed on January 26, 1891. Dr. Torr's scholastic performances now shift their locality to Trinity College, Dublin. There he began to earn fresh laurels among some of the brightest intellects that Britain can claim. The ccrfanieii of the Bachelor of Law examination confirmed once again his calibre. He headed the list, gaining an almost unparalleled advantage over his next-down neighbor of 1 2 per cent. After this meritorious exhibition, it was a foregone conclusion that the degree of Doctor of Laws would be added to his long list of attainments. The results were as anticipated, with the addition that he stood alone in the list on this occasion. The last few months of his British academical career were spent in Oxford ; and here, in June, 1891, a year earlier than was required by the statutes, he took his B.C.L. degree with honors. Dr. Torr was fortunate in having Mr. T. Radford Potts, D.C.L., of Lincoln College, Oxford, for his tutor for this high-grade examination. The era of his university life closes with this last achievement. Dr. Torr was now an alumnus of several universities, in each of which he had acquitted himself well. Many perhaps have climbed to the same academic apex of degrees and distinctions, but few have climbed more quickly. In five years he had passed from the rusticity of a freshman to the dignity and learned gravity of the doctorial hood. Between these extremes his perseverance had built up an edifice of knowledge, with well-fashioned corner-stones. A ievi weeks of recuperation were warranted after this long spell of studious activity. A brief visit was paid to several places of interest in Switzerland and Italy, when further travel was cut short by the information that his services in Adelaide were in urgent request. Accordingly in July, 1891, he left for South Australia by the western route through America. Dr. Torr travelled through the new world z'hi Niagara, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Yosemite, and reached Sydney in September, 1891. On his arrival in Adelaide he proceeded at once to take up his new duties, and assumed the control of Way College. With Dr. Torr's advent to the principalship of this institution, a wave of prosperity has been the gratifying result, due to his powers of organisation, combined with his high scholarly attainments. The ''Hoc nnum facia" adopted as a motto for the school well represents the aim of the college, namely, to inculcate in all pupils the doctrine that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The zealous founders of Way College cannot but feel that in establishing so efficient an institution they were not only doing justice to the memory of their respected but departed friend, but that they were also conferring a valuable educational gift on the younger generation (jf the Province. Dr. Torr is a Vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association in Adelaide. He was also appointed an Honorary Commissioner by His Excellency Lord Tennyson in 1899 to report on education in Great Britain and other countries. This report gained considerable attention in England and throughout the Commonwealth of Australia.