Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/495

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^i^- c '<i'"ber ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 469 wealth of the new fields. He found his way to the ^old cam])s of the sister colony, and stayed there several months, but was not successful in meeting fortune as a miner. He accordingly returned to the Burra district, and commcMiced business for himself as a storekeeper at Redruth. Both mining and farming industries were prosperous in those days, and Mr. Kimber's venture proved a success. Having engaged in storekeeping for five years, Mr. Kimber sold out and purchased a farm on the Wakefield River, in the neighborhood of Mintaro, where he continued for another period of five years. In thv. meantime the Wallaroo mines were discovered, and Mr. Kimber engaged for a brief space in a water-distilling enterpri.se in that locality. Subsequently he purchased a mill at Clare, which was at that time the most important centre north of Adelaide. Having a thorough knowledge of business, and personal qualities of a high order, Mr. Kimber soon became a man of standing in Clare, and he succeeded in building up a large milling industry. F^ncouraged by the prosperity which attended his operations, he then erected another large flourmill at Kadina, and he was soon regarded as one of the most flourishing merchants in the North. He purchased land at Clare, built a house, and founded a fine estate known as Woodleigh, and famous for its fine orchard. Here Mr. Kimber lived for a period of t,t, years. The business abilities which Mr. Kimber had shown, combined with high integrity and private worth, attracted public notice, and in 1887 he was persuaded to stand for Parliament. With Mr. E. W. Hawker he was returned to the Assembly for Stanley district in that year, and sat for three sessions with such conspicuous merit, that at the end of the term he was again reepiisitioned to take the seat. With unaffected modesty Mr. Kimber, however, declined the proffered honor, although he continued to do good public work in Clare. He sat for three years as Chairman of the District Council, and, after the incorporation of the town, for two years as mayor. Mr. Kimber also held the post of Commissioner of Roads, and at an early date was invested with the Commission of the Peace. In his capacity as a magistrate, he sat for several years as Chairman of the Clare Licensing Bench. A few years ago Mr. Kimber sold his estate and business, and he went to live in retirement at Clenelg. Twenty years ago Mr. Kimber visited England, principally for health reasons, and spent six months enjoyably at home. On September 16, 1852, Mr. Kimber married Miss Nankervis, of the Burra, and he has had a large family. Two sons, Messrs. 'illiam and Madron Kimber, are now the proprietors of large wine-growing estates at Stanley Mat. Throughout his lengthy, varied, and successful career in this Province, Mr. Kimber has ever maintained an unblemished reputation as a publlc-.spirited citizen, enterprising merchant, and as an honorable and courteous gentleman. The late Mr. Walter Griffiths, M P. BY the lamented death of Mr. Walter Griffiths on September 4, 1900, the Hou.se of Assembly lost a member of considerable gifts, and the Northern Territory a representative who was alive to its claims. He was born in Kent Town on July 4, 1867, and was educated at St. Aloysius' College, near Clare, and at St. Peter's College, Adelaide. When 16 years old he went to the Northern Territory, and entered into partnership with Mr. V. L. Solomon. In April, 1893, he was elected to the House of Assembly. He was fearless in debate, a ready speaker, and for some time " Whip " to the Country Party.