Francis Symonds, J.P.,
DIED at the Chain of Ponds, March 13, 1885, aged 90. Came to the colony in 1848. Was a member and chairman of the Para Wira Council for many years, and most strenuous in his endeavours to advance the interests of the district in which he resided.
THIS well-known littérateur, whose contributions to the South Australian press under the nom-de-plume of "Dick Jervois" and other appellations are familiar to many, is a native of this colony, and was born near Auburn, Sept. 11, 1851. His parents died when he was very young, and he was brought up by his grandfather, a pioneer colonist, who initiated him into the art and mystery of farming, had him educated at the Commercial School, Queenstown, and then apprenticed him for six years to Messrs. Barrow & King, of the S. A. Advertiser, During this period he made the best use of his spare time, and took every opportunity in reading up and making himself familiar with current literature and Pitman's Phonography. He occasionally wrote miscellaneous letters and poetic effusions for the press, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship left the Advertiser to occupy the position of book-keeper in a leading drapery firm, but finding the continued confinement injurious to his health, he applied for and received the appointment of commercial traveller for a wholesale fancy goods house, remaining for some time in that capacity. He next transferred his services from the fancy line to the more common-place one of 9 x 3 deals and stringybark, at Messrs. Lake & Reynolds, timber merchants, of Port Adelaide, but severed his connection with their firm to start a printing business. In conjunction with a practical printer, Mr. Morris established and edited a weekly journal
