was appointed resident engineer for the Chidlow Wells—Beverley section. In 1886 the Institute of Civil Engineers admitted him as an associate member. During Mr. Parry's career his name has become associated with the construction of many railroads, such as the Clackline and Newcastle line, and the all-important railway from Spencer's Brook to Northam. He superintended, on behalf of the Government, the making of a railroad from Albany to Beverley, a distance of 244 miles, which was looked upon as a gigantic undertaking. With very little assistance he had to survey the mass of the ground through which the proposed railroad was to pass, and to arrange all its measurements. No fault can be found with any part of the work. At present (1896) he is executive engineer of all lines from Perth to Bunbury, and from there to Boyanup and Vasse. He was gazetted a J.P. in 1887.
He has taken an active interest in mining, and made several investments with profitable results. It is impossible for an enthusiastic speculator to be unaffected by mine-epidemic. His engineering talents are to be directed to mining on his own behalf. In 1881 he married the daughter of Sir Malcolm Fraser. In the Masonic Order Mr. Parry is prominent. He was initiated into the mysteries of the craft in 1880, and in the York Lodge held the office of Grand Master for twelve months. He is now a member of the District Grand Lodge.
In 1897 Mr. Parry severed connection with the Government, and now practices on his own behalf.
ISIDORE JAMES KNIGHT COHN, J.P.
EXPERIENCE is a kind of talismanic force which guides man on his path of life. In a comparatively new country the man of experience must invariably succeed; he brings to bear in his fresh fields of labour the knowledge he has acquired in other lands. Decidedly entertaining is the biography of Mr. I. J. K. Cohn, who has had a variety of experiences in the Australian colonies. From his early boyhood he has been associated with gold mining, and if there is one calling more than another that is conducive to adventure it is that of the seekers for this precious metal.
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Photo by I.J.K. COHN, J.P. Greenham & Evans. |
Isidore James Knight Cohn was horn in Melbourne in 1843. Tiring of a city life and yearning to get to the goldfields, he left the domestic roof for Castlemaine at the early age of thirteen years. The little lad was fortunate enough to get in with a party of men who agreed to give a him third share in their findings. This infantile gold quest was not very successful, for we find him eighteen months afterwards on the road to Melbourne, carrying his swag. Three years later he proceeded to Bendigo, having in the meantime married, his young wife accompanying him. He had only a few pence in his pocket, but devoted himself to vigorous work, and although but eighteen years of age he applied for a prospector's license over the Burra-Eureka mine, situated between Sparrowhawk and Ironbark. Then, some months later, the goldfields of New Zealand caused a general exodus from Victoria, and Mr. Cohn joined in the pilgrimage. The gold was being found in the South Island, and with his swag on his back he tramped to Dunstan, and from there to Nookimia, mining and prospecting en route. Having no luck at either place, he proceeded to Dunedin, where he found letters awaiting him which called for his immediate presence in Melbourne. After settling his business in the latter place, he went to the Caledonian diggings, about twenty-four miles out from the capital. He remained there for two years, working puddling machines, and digging between times. Wood's Point was his next rendezvous, and with his pack horses he was one of the first to arrive. He became very largely interested in reefing, but made little or no money in his ventures. Not to be outdone, he started in photography—an art in which he had always displayed studious interest. Travelling from town to town and colony to colony, he became a peripatetic photographer in earnest. At one time he was engaged in taking views for an art publication. It necessitated his going to Cobar, New South Wales and this probably proved the turning point in his life.
Mr. Cohn decided to settle in Cobar, and opened an hotel, afterwards launching out in the coaching and livery business. The copper mines of that district were developing well at this time, and he pioneered the coaches running from Cobar to Bourke, to Ningan, to Condobolin, Nimagee, and, in conjunction with a Mr. Sproule, to Hillston. He cut the first track through to Wilcannia from Cobar, and was an original shareholder in the first crushing plant erected at Bourke. Mr. Cohn stopped in Cobar a few years, then journeyed to Silverton, New South Wales, when mining was in full swing there. Then he heard of gold being discovered in the Kimberley district, Western Australia, and although doing well at Silverton, he departed, and arrived at Perth in 1885. Making all enquiries about the country before starting, he lost no time in getting to the Kimberley district. He proceeded to Derby, the main port, and
