Notable South Australians/Walter Duffield, M.L.C., J.P.

2372917Notable South Australians — Walter Duffield, M.L.C., J.P.George E. Loyau

Walter Duffield, M.L.C., J.P.,

WHOSE death occurred Nov. 6, 1882, in the 66th year of his age, though not one of the first arrivals in the colony, had, nevertheless, an experience of it extending over forty-three years. He landed in 1839, and first settled near Echunga. Remained there until 1847, when he removed to Gawler, with which town he was associated up till his death, and played an important part in all movements calculated to benefit its interests, and those of the colony at large. His name has long been a household word in milling operations. He established the Union and Victoria Mills, the latter of which was burnt down and rebuilt no less than three times; two of the fires being attributed to incendiarism, and one to the accidental breakage of a portion of the machinery. The present Victoria Mill is one of the most complete in Australia. As agricultural settlement extended, he established mills at Wallaroo, Snowtown, and Port Pirie. The whole of the milling property was recently disposed of to the Adelaide Milling and Mercantile Company, Limited. Mr. Duffield was elected as one of the representatives of the district of Barossa in the first Parliament, April 22, 1857, and was re-elected to the second, third, and fourth Parliaments, being thus continuously one of the members for Barossa from April, 1857, to March, 1868. He was re-elected for the same district in 1870, and sat until the dissolution on November 23, 1871. He held office as Treasurer in two successive Cabinets, viz., the Hart Ministry (the fifteenth since the inauguration of responsible government here), from October 23, 1865 till March 27, 1866; and in the first Boucaut Ministry, from March 28, 1866, to May 2, 1867. He introduced the Dog Act, and succeeded in carrying that measure, and many of the colonists are under an obligation of which they are unaware to the deceased gentleman for what he did in this matter. After serving as local representative for many years, Mr. Duffield on July 25, 1873, first took his seat as member of the Legislative Council. He applied himself with assiduity to his Parliamentary duties, until failing health compelled him, during the latter part of 1878, to seek leave of absence. He participated to some extent in the work of the following session, but at length found himself unable to continue his service to the country. His resignation was accepted May 27, 1880. Mr. Duffield was local Director of the Bank of South Australia, and held that office until 1873, when he accepted a position on the Adelaide Board. He was also a Director for many years of the Adelaide Marine and Fire Insurance Company, and occupied several other posts of importance, all of which he had to resign in consequence of ill-health. He was owner,
Alderman William Kither, J.P.

Alderman William Kither, J.P.

CAPT. S. W. SWEET.

with Mr. T. S. Porter, and latterly with his son-in-law, Mr. F. Makin, of Koonoona (an extensive freehold station near Burra Burra), and was for years largely interested in squatting pursuits in the northern portion of this colony and in the Darling district. The Para Para Estate at Gawler, his late residence, is one of the most attractive spots in the southern hemisphere. Mr. Duffield was regarded as a shrewd, straightforward, honest man; bore the highest character amongst those with whom he was brought in contact, was thoroughly respected in the district where he had spent so many years, and his retirement into private life was universally regretted. In his political career he was considered a strictly conscientious representative, and was what may be termed a Liberal Conservative in politics. He left a widow, one son, Mr. D. Walter Duffield, J. P., and five daughters, of whom three are married. One is the wife of Lieut-Colonel Makin, another of Dr. J. Davies Thomas, and a third of Mr. H. T. Bowen.