Page:History of West Australia.djvu/614

 influences, it showed great pluck and determination to have pursued it so zealously, and great skill in bringing it to so speedy completion. During this time he undertook the superintendence of the construction of Point Moore Lighthouse, which was being built by Chance Brothers of Birmingham. His abilities as an engineer were now being recognised, and the Government appointed him controller of various public works in the Victoria district. All these offices he performed with the utmost satisfaction, and wonderful progress was made under his management. From this time his career consists of filling many important positions of fastly ascending importance. He was resident engineer for four years of the Eastern Railway. In the construction of this line money again was scarce, and a repetition of former troubles and difficulties was his unfortunate lot. These are but the necessary adjuncts of infantile development, and require for their mastry a cool head and patient hand. In 1882 and 1883 he was provisionally appointed Commissioner of Railways. He not only discharged the duties of Commissioner of Railways, but also those of Director of Public Works. In quick succession, and simultaneously with this appointment, other honourable offices fell to his lot. He was created a Commissioner of Railways, a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and general manager and maintenance engineer. Such a combination, as enviable as honourable, required no ordinary amount of ability and skill. The responsibility of these positions capably resting in the hands of one who could adequately discharge them, gradually elicited the reflex sense of public approval. His tenureship was marked by energy and careful methodical insight into all the departments. Everything was set on comprehensive, intelligible groundwork and system. It was during his period as councillor that the great arbitration case about the Geraldton and Northampton Railway was discussed. Two arbitrators, Sir James Lee-Steere and W. D. Moore, Esq., were appointed, and their decision was based mainly on Mr. Mason's report. Prior to certain concessions being granted to the Great Southern and Midland Railways, which it was proposed to construct on the "land grant" principle, certain rules of agreement had to be drawn up, which was done by a Select Committee of the Legislative Council, one of whom was Mr. Mason. Concessions and points of agreement were definitely fixed upon by the Committee, who acted and followed according to Mr. Mason's proposals. In June, 1885, he was made Commissioner of Railways and a member of the Executive Council, and on the introduction of Responsible Government was appointed to the Collectorship of Customs. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Julia Scott, and has five of a family. He is a prominent Freemason, having filled the chair of the St. George's Lodge. He is a Past Senior Grand Warden of District Grand Lodge.

In all kinds of manly sports Mr. Mason has ever taken a keen interest. In his youth he won laurels in the first Metropolitan the art of swimming and a brave heart has enabled him to perform deeds of valour in saving the lives of two of his fellow creatures. On the first occasion, while at Cardiff, he rescued a man who had fallen into the water, and had to swim more than half a mile with him. This deed of heroism attracted the attention of the Royal Humane Society, from whom he received the certificate of merit, signed by the Duke of Argyle, the then President. On another occasion he rescued a child who was knocked into the water by the tow rope of a steamer. As a rifle shot, Mr. Mason has distinguished himself by winning many important matches in England, Scotland, and Wales. He was one of the riflemen invited by the King of the Belgians to compete in the great matches in Belgium, in which there were 6,000 competitors. In these competitions, which were of an international character, Mr. Mason won the sixth prize. He brought his love for the sport with him to Australia, and in both Perth and Geraldton has been very successful in matches. The love of field sports seems to be hereditary in the family, for in the cricket field Mr. J. R. Mason, of Kent, who played for the South of England Eleven against the recent Australian visiting eleven, is his nephew. Mr. Mason is a keen and liberal supporter of the pastime, and sighs again for the halcyon days of youth that he might enjoy it all over again.

THE LATE HON. WILLIAM EDWARD MARMION, M.L.A.

FIRST MINISTER OF LANDS AND MINES.

HE name of the Hon. W. E. Marmion adds one more to the list of successful native-born politicians who have impressed their personality strongly on Western Australian history. This work will be found to contain numbers of biographies of such gentlemen, who are, in short, the leaders of, the local political world.