Act. In 1891 he was again requisitioned to stand for mayor, and was returned with a substantial majority. Mr. Congdon held the office for one year, and was then asked to again stand, but having given up business in Fremantle and being a resident of North Fremantle he pointed out that he did not think he would be in a position to thoroughly and conscientiously discharge his duties—Mr. George Davies was elected mayor. But Mr. Congdon had shown his admirable qualities for the mayoral chair, and Fremantle was again anxious to have his services. In October, 1895, he was once more asked to stand for mayor. In the meantime North Fremantle had been created a separate municipality, and the residents of the newly-born municipality clamoured for Mr. Congdon. No man can serve two masters, much less two municipalities. Mr. Congdon declined Fremantle proper, with the result that he was unanimously elected to the mayoralty of North Fremantle.
On July 22, 1886, Mr. Congdon was made a J.P.
In June, 1887, he was nominated to a seat in the Legislative Council, which seat he held till the initiation of responsible government. In 1890 Mr. Congdon stood for South Fremantle in the Assembly, but was defeated by Mr. David Symon. He had a crowning success, however, in the Legislative Council election for the West Province, being returned as senior member for that electorate in 1894. It seems but natural and fitting that Mr. Congdon should occupy a seat in Parliament, for he certainly did some valuable work in the interests of Fremantle. An outline of the work sponsored by him will be of interest. On taking office as Mayor the first work he undertook was a sweeping reform in the sanitary conditions. Fremantle was then—to put it mildly—in a very insanitary state, and the task of purifying it partook of the nature of an Augean stable cleansing. Mr. Congdon was almost as energetic as Hercules of old in his undertaking, and, setting to work, had a Sanitary Committee appointed from members of the Council and leading residents. He drew up a report which was presented to His Excellency Governor Broome, and in this pointed out that the great drawback to sanitary reform lay in the lack of a water supply. Certain suggestions were made, with the result that the Government placed on the Estimates a sum £9,000 as a nucleus for a water supply for Fremantle. The present efficient water scheme was then launched with eminently satisfactory results, for under the improved water service and the reforms which Mr. Congdon instituted sanitary conditions became apparent on all sides, and a number of objectionable hovels—menaces to public health—were razed to the ground. In his report to Governor Broome Mr. Congdon asked that the Government, having a staff of engineers, should expend the money voted in reticulating the town with mains. This was done within twelve months of the presentation of the report, and the water supply—drawn from a huge well in the prison from which radiate numerous lines of drives—was so constructed that at Tanyge engine on the site can pump twice the quantity at present required. The report which Mr. Congdon and his colleagues forwarded contained sound suggestions with regard to sanitary laws, and it is not too much to assume that it was primarily responsible for the present Health Act. Mr. Congdon can therefore claim to have played an important part with regard to water supply and sanitation generally. He was instrumental in having North Fremantle created a separate municipality. In the later years of his office as Mayor he was strongly of opinion that the residents of North Fremantle were not being equitably treated with regard to the distribution of the Council's finances. Although Mr. Congdon was Mayor he was unable to get justice for the people on the north side of the Swan, and when the Council refused to grant a few gas lamps for the use of belated citizens "over north" the last straw was laid on the camel's back, and something like mild rebellion looked out from Mr. Congdon's eye. He took up the cause of separation, and as a result of his efforts (and those of other gentlemen) North Fremantle was created a separate municipality in October, 1895. As Mayor Mr. Congdon had a lot of genuine hard work to do in connection with the initial difficulties of getting the municipality into working order. This over, he resolved that North Fremantle should have a good recreation ground, and on his recommendation Sir John Forrest, the Premier, placed £l,500 on the estimates for the purchase of 10 acres of land, belonging to Sir Oriel Tanner, facing the river—a very picturesque spot indeed, and one eminently fitted for the purpose proposed. Provision has been made for its fencing, so that North Fremantle will shortly be in possession of a splendid pleasure ground. Mr. Congdon picked out land for the site of the new municipal offices, at a cost of £700, provision having been made by the Government for this outlay; but it should be pointed out that the Government had already sold their blocks of land in Fremantle, otherwise the necessity for placing this sum would not have arisen. Mr. Congdon took an active interest in having the Fremantle Oval vested in the Mayor and Councillors, and the North Fremantle Park is also held under these conditions.
Mr. Congdon was a member of the Royal Commission appointed some years ago to enquire into the working of the Locomotive Workshops. He is also a member (and in the absence of the chairman, acting chairman) of the Civil Service Commission, and and has given much time and patient attention to the sittings of this body.
He is associated with a number of cricket, football, and other athletic clubs as patron; and is president of the Fremantle Building Society and one of its original promoters. He is a director of the Fremantle Gas and Coke Company, and of the Fremantle Baths Company for establishing which he took energetic measures.
Mr. Congdon stands high in the Masonic Fraternity, holding the office of Deputy District Grand Master of the craft in Western Australia. Politically he is a Liberal, and has been a consistent supporter of the Forrest Government. He fills a useful place in politics and as a man is known by his works. Daniel Keen Congdon will long be gratefully remembered by the residents of Western Australia generally and Fremantle particularly.
