OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9670, 8 March 1897, Page 5

OBITUARY.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Adelaide, March 7. Sir Thomas Elder ia dead.

[Sir Thomas Elder, , G.C.M.G., was born at Kirkaldy, Scotland, in 1818. Hβ emigrated to South Australia in 1854, and joined the firm of Elder and Co., founded by his brother, Mr A. L. Elder, and on the retirement of the latter became its head, as he was subsequently of the firm of Elder, Smith and Co. Sir Thomas was mainly instrumental in forming the Company to work the famous Moonta copper mines. He also introduced camels for exploring purposes. In 1874 he contributed £20,000 towards the endowment of Adelaide University, and endowed a scholarship in connection with the Royal College of Music of London. He also offered £5000 towards the exploration of the interior of Australia, and a similar amount towards the expenses of an Antarctic expedition, conditionally, in both cases, on a certain amount being subscribed by the public. Ultimately he undertook the whole cost of the exploring expedition in 1891-2. He took an active interest in the breeding of firstclass stock, and imported some of the finest horses brought to Australia. In 1887 he offered to contribute £10,000 towards the establishment of a Medical School in connection with Adelaide University.]