William McMinn,
BORN May, 1844, at Newry, County Down, Ireland; died at North Adelaide, February 14, 1884. Arrived with his parents in South Australia in 1850: was for a time engaged in studying architecture in the office of Mr. J. Macgeorge, and afterwards entered the Government service. In June, 1864, the first expedition to the Northern Territory was organised, the Hon. B. T. Finniss being the leader of the party, which Mr. McMinn accompanied as surveyor. During the time of Mr. Finniss's government, the well known "Forlorn Hope" voyage took place, when Mr. McMinn and others accomplished that perilous trip of 2,000 miles in an open boat, from the Northern Territory to Champion Bay. In 1870 he was appointed Government Inspector of the Port Darwin end of the contract for constructing the Overland Telegraph line, but acting under instructions annulled the contract, which led to Mr. Patterson, Assistant Engineer, being sent to Port Darwin, and afterwards to the establishment of the Roper River party, under Mr. C. Todd, C.M.G., Superintendent of Telegraphs. On his return from the Territory Mr. McMinn practised his profession as architect in Adelaide, and was severally associated in that capacity with Messrs. D. Garlick, E. J. Woods (Architect-in-Chief), and I. G. Beaver. He superintended many extensive works—the Adelaide University was built from his designs—and he also gained second prize for designs for a bridge over the Torrens. His death in the prime of life was a source of great regret to his widow and family, and he will be long held in affectionate remembrance by many friends to whom his estimable qualities and amiability had endeared him. His brother, Mr. Gilbert McMinn was, till lately, Acting Government Resident at Palmerston, an office at present held by Mr. J. L. Parsons, M.P.