THE HON. J. COLTON, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7272, 10 March 1885, Page 6

THE HON. J. COLTON, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

The Hon. J. Colton, Premier of South Australia (whose portrait we give below) was a passenger yesterday by the a.s. Manaponri from the South. Hβ is accompanied by Mrs. Colton. They are at present making a tour of New Zealand, and leave for the Lakes to-day via Waikato. Mr. Colton returns to Auckland from the Lakes and goes on to Melbourne in order to have an interview with the Premier of Victoria (the Hon. Mr. Service) on some matteru of importance. A cablegram was received yesterday by Mr. Colton from his colleagues in reference to Soudan affairs and the services of a South Australian contingent, to which he has replied, but he informed the Herald representative, who interviewed him at the Prince Arthur Hotel last evening, where he is putting up, that he did not deem it advisable to disclose their contents. He is in constant telegraphic communication with his colleagues on the question. Mr. Colton expresses himself greatly pleased with what he has seen of the colony, its resources, What he envied New Zealand was the general diffusion of water throughout the country. If they were equally favoured in South Australia, there would be no bounds to the agricultural and pastoral resources of South Australia, but in time and with an increasing population, there was no doubt that extensive'irrigation works would greatly mitigate the evils of drought. Mr. Colton expressed himself greatly indebted to the courtesy of the Premier (the Hon. Mr. Stout) and the other members of the New Zealand Government in various waya. They had made his visit very agreeable by rendering all the information and aid in their power. It may not be uninteresting at the present junoture to give a brief biographical sketoh of Mr. Colton, as he is one of the oldest and most respected politicians of the Australian colonies.

Mr. Colton is a native of Devon, England, and was born in 1823. When only 16 he left his native land, for South Australia, in order to try his fortunes in that young colony. He at once set to work to lay the foundation of a large mercantile business, whioh has now a leading position, and known through the length and breadth of Australasia, as Colton and Co. He retired some two or three years ago, after an active and successful management of the firm's business for forty years. Mr. Colton first entered publio life in 1859, by standing as alderman for the city of Adelaide, and first entered the political arena in 1863, when he was returned at the head of the poll for the district of Noarlunga. During the Parliament of that year he took part in most of the important debates. At the general election in 1865 he was re-elected for the same district, and again in 1868 was returned unopposed. Up to this time he had not accepted office, giving his time to active busineia pursuits, but in 1868 he joined the Strangways Ministry aa Commissioner of Publio Works, it was daring his term of office a« Commissioner that the overland telegraph line of 2000 milts in length was constructed between Adelaide and Fort Darwin, and Mr. Colton's name will be inseparably associated with that grand national undertaking. At the next election, owing to his strong views on the labour and taxation questions, Mr. Colton was defeated in his district, and resigned hie portfolios. He again turned his attention to business, but in 1874 the oitizens of Adelaide requested him to stand for the Mayoralty, and he was returned. During his term a> Mayor he sought re-election to Parliament for hie old distriot of Noarlnnga, and was returned unopposed. In that year he joined the Boneaut Ministry as Treasurer, but the cares of office proving too much for his nervous system, he resigned in March, 1879, under medical advice, and Mr. Boucout reconstructed his Ministry. In the following Mr. Colton formed the Colton Ministry, whioh remained in office nearly two years, and carried many important measures. Owing to a collision between the two branches of the Legislature in 1877, the Colton Ministry resigned, and were succeeded by the Boucaut Ministry. In 1878 he resigned his seat in Parliament through ill health, amidst the general regret of his fellow members. After the lapse of two years, having regained his health, he was re elected to hie old seat, without having visited the district, or addressed the electors. At this time the Morgan Ministry suoceeded to power, and on their resignation in 1881, Sir William Jervois, then Governor, sent for Mr. Colton, and requested him to form a Ministry, but he declined through ill-health, and suggested that Mr. Bray be sent for. The Bray Ministry was then formed, and lasted three years, but though jocularly called the "father of the Ministry," Mr. Colton last year ceased to accord them hie support, and moved a vote of "no-confidence," which was carried by a good majority. Mr. Colton was at once sent for by the present Governor, Sir William Robinson, and commenced the formation of the Ministry whioh now holds the reins of Government in South Australia. Hβ is a Liberal in politics, and during his political career hat shown great administrative ability. Mr. Colton has always had the courage of his opinions, and maintained them even at the risk of losing publio favour, though genial in private life. At the name time he has, to the best of hi« ability, advanced the various interests of the land of hie adoption. Hβ is a leading member of the Wesleyan denomination, and esteemed for his integrity and liberality. He has received from Her Majesty the Queen, the title of Honourable, which he holds for life, and has been styled by his fellow colonists, '" The Grand Old Man of South Australia." Mrs. Colton has devoted herself largely to philanthropic work, and takes an active part in the raanagment of a number of charitable institutions of Adelaide.