BUSH-BRED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 147, 19 December 1930, Page 9

BUSH-BRED

SYDNEY'S NEW LORD MAYOR STRIKING PERSONALITY x

(From "The Post's" Representative.) . SYDNEY, 11th December. Alderman J. Jackson, Sydney's ne# Lord Mayor, is a striking personality, even if he has not' that dignity whicl* by tradition attaches to such'a high post. He has achieved the height of his ambi* tion, and for a man born and bred in the "bush," as the Australian outback is known, his is a remarkable achievement, savouring very much of the time-honourei story of Dick Whittington. In his early, days he worked at shearing, droving, and any other task that came his way. Ha was never afraid of hard work, and perhaps that is the reason why he is sa fond of counselling hard work now. He is a good Nationalist as far as politics go, but a man of moderate views and generally popular with all classes. Like most self-made men, Aldierman Jackson has a streak of modesty in hia make-up. If he has any personal vanity it is in his vigorous growth of black hair —"the Samson touch"—which will make him the delight of cartoonists, as, in fact, he is even now. No Parliamentary group drawn by a cartoonist is complete without Alderman Jackson's shock of thick, black hair. He has been a member of tha Legislative Assembly for years, and although he seldom speaks he is very biting in his attacks on Labour when he is in the mood. He cannot tolerata shorter-hours-and-more-pay policies, and he is very definite about it. Even though he speaks but seldom in public his friends are fully aware of his elocutionary powers, and if things are dull at future civic receptions, he will be able to help by'ireciting "Clancy of the Overflow," or tha "Man from Snowy River." He is a devout admirer of the works of Banjo Patterson, and to that extent at least is a true Australian. Alderman Jackson is a successful business man, and owns a chain of boot shops in the city, and the name of "Stonewall" Jackson, by which . all his . shops are known, is one which appropriately suggests strength and vigour durability. In politics, organisation rather than oratory has been: his forte, but his undoubted ability has won him recognition. He just missed a^ portfolio in the Bavin Government. He will- occupy-, the Lord Mayoral chair during- the period in which, it is hoped, the Sydney Harbour bridge will be opened,- • and who ; knows but what he might end his term with » higher honour. The selection has certainly met with general favour., It is ; sno cess well deserved. ■