Notable South Australians/Henry Dudley Melville

2372915Notable South Australians — Henry Dudley MelvilleGeorge E. Loyau

Henry Dudley Melville,

ONE of the pioneers of the colony, having arrived a passenger by the "Lalla Rookh," in August 1840. He is now probably the oldest public servant in harness, and has served in very many capacities; notably. Sub-collector of Customs, Receiver of Wrecks, and Harbour-Master of South-East Ports. He did good service at the wreck of the "Admella" in 1859; and in 1861, with the aid of the lifeboat crew at Robe, he saved the crew of the "Alma" (twenty-four lives) when stranded on the rocks in Guichen Bay, by means of the rocket apparatus. In other wrecks on this part of the coast he was also instrumental in saving life and property. In 1872 he was appointed Chief Warden of the Northern Territory Gold Fields, and here contracted a disease in the eyes (cataract), which obliged him to resign his position in the Territory and return to the South. In 1877 he was appointed Secretary to the Forest Board, and still retains that position in the Forest Department.