Coolgardie fields brought such a rush of population to the colony that the demand for meat increased many fold. The firm next opened offices at Fremantle and Perth, chartered steamers, and conveyed their "fats" to market in hundreds. Last year they landed fully 10,000 head, and that number will, it is thought, be exceeded this year (1897). The success which attended both Mr. Connor and his partner in the north followed them to the metropolis, where their names in the business world are ones to conjure with
Mr. Connor's worth was soon recognised by the inhabitants of East Kimberley, and on the introduction of Responsible Government he was elected to represent that constituency in the Assembly. He has from his place in the House done much to advance the interests of the vast northern territory. So satisfied were his constituents with his wholeheartedness that they honoured him with the special compliment of unopposed election in successive Parliaments. Mr. Connor and his partner are interested not only in mercantile, grazing, and shipping, but also extensively in mining. The Ruby Queen mine, situated at Hall's Creek, is one of their best properties, and is being systematically developed.
Speaking of the far north country and its resources, Mr. Connor is enthusiastic. As a cattle-raising country it is not to be surpassed, and is capable of carrying many million head. Its mineral resources too, will, he is certain, be equal to, if not superior to those found in any portion of the colony.
The iron-grey hair, and the occasional lines furrowed in a smiling face are the only traces of Mr. Connor's hard-wrought life, which throughout has been conducted so honourably as to win the universal respect of his fellows. His career, so laudably fought, is worthy of the esteem of all who can admire tenacity of purpose. Often has he engaged in a political duel, and often has he emerged victorious from a wordy warfare.
CHARLES JOHN MORAN, M.L.A.
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Photo by CHARLES J. MORAN, M.L.A. Greenham & Evans. |
TRULY, the sure road to success is by hard work. The wisdom of taking this path is exemplified in the arts and sciences and in the prosaic walks of life. Colonial circles are full of persevering and determined men who forced their way through rank and file into high positions. Those who read the biography of Mr. Charles John Moran, M.L A, will trace the determination, industry, and big heart which have characterised his career. All the professions were open to him, but with a foresight beyond his years he realised that in the overcrowded ranks of professional men, at least in the eastern colonies, the rewards were too small in comparison with the magnitude of the work. His life up to the present has been one of work, hard work, and his success is due, not to the favours of fickle fortune, but to his indomitable energy. So interesting and instructive, however, is the history of his career that it is best told in chronological order.
Mr. Moran was born in the famous Darling Downs district, Queensland, in 1868; his father, Mr. John Moran, being one of the earliest settlers in that fertile country. The son passed his early years on the breezy Downs, receiving his elementary education at the State schools. He, at this time, intended to enter the scholastic ranks, and with that object studied under the auspices of the Educational Department as a pupil teacher, and, taking up a mathematical course, passed all his examinations with honours. At the expiration of four years he went to St. Killen's College as a private student, under the tutorship of the Rev. J. B. Breen, of Brisbane. He was there associated with the late Mr. Justice Real, of Brisbane, of whose student days he has many interesting reminiscences. Mr. Moran made the most of the excellent opportunities afforded him, and soon completing his classical course, graduated for the University. The hard study told on his youthful frame, and when the excitement of the examination was over a reaction set in, and he returned home to build up his shattered constitution. The healthy surroundings and active life of the station revived him, and twelve months later he became a house student in Toowoomba, under Mr. Parker, M.A., from whose care he passed the required examination for admission to the Sydney University. The selection of a profession to which he could apply his hard-earned learning proved a most difficult task, for on all sides the ranks of the professions were full. He saw on the horizon to the westward the land of the Black Swan, whose people were about to obtain Responsible Government. He came hither, and landed in Western Australia on the very day that the responsibility of the colony was declared. A very superficial examination
