Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/614

 ;8S ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The late Mr. Thomas Worsnop, B.A., LL.B. IN the golden age of Rome, when municipal law had established itself firmly in many of the larger cities and towns in Italy, certain officials held positions in connection with the civic administration that closely resembled the modern office of town clerk. Though the duties then were less defined and elaborate than they are now, they entitled the official to certain distinctions and orders denied to many in- fluential citizens, and invested the office of the functionary with much responsibility. The hands of the town clerk of to-day keep the keys to the munici[)al fortress, within whose stronghold lie the safeguards of the city's rights and security. He is the guide and friend, if not the philosopher, of the councillors who are charged with the duty of promoting and preserving the in- terests of the city. His knowledge and acquaintance with municipal affairs and law must be compre- hensive enough to act as an epitome for the use of civic legislators. The choice of an individual to discharge these manifold duties often becomes a matter of diffi- culty. Adelaide, however, has been fortunate in having the services of the late Mr. Thf)mas Wor- snop as its town clerk for many Hammer & Co.. Photo years. He grew old with the Council, to whose work and progress he had been devoted for nearly 40 ye.ars. Mr. Thomas Worsnop was born in Leeds on F"ebruary 2, 1818. He was educated at Cambridge, and graduated in 18.13. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on him in absentia in 1874, and at a later period the degree of LL.B. as a reward for his attainments in law. He left for South Australia a few years after its foundation. After following pastoral pursuits in the new country for some time, he came to Adelaide. He received an ajipointment as clerk in the Town Clerk's office in 1866— a step which proved of advantage to him a few years later, when, in 1869, he was appointed Town Clerk to