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CAMPBELL & AYLIFFE, auctioneers and general commission agents, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. This business was established early in 1906, by Mr. A. R. Campbell, in conjunction with Mr. Ayliffe, who had been visiting the island for some years. At this time there was only a small settlement with a few business-houses, and at the outset they were met with various discouragements, the inhabitants assuring them that any endeavours to trade would only end fruitlessly. The partners, however, both being men of grit and foresight, determined to give the country a twelve-months' trial, and have had no reason to regret their decision, which was formed on a shrewd perception of the possibilities of the place.
During the period that has elapsed since their arrival they have carried through successfully some large land transactions, and have others pending. They have been the means of inducing several well-known capitalists to invest in property on the island, and are interesting themselves considerably in the development of the mineral resources in various localities. They persistently advocate the construction of better wharf accommodation and shipping facilities, and are prepared to exert their utmost influence towards obtaining a railway service throughout the island, which would give immense impetus to trade, in a country which should have a great future before it.
Messrs. Campbell & Ayliffe have been entrusted with the following city agencies, which they carry out successfully : —The International Harvester Company, of America; Triumph Plow Company, Limited; Mellor's Patent Strippers; R. J. Coombs & Co., woolbrokers; the Victoria Insurance Company, Limited ; and the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, Limited.
ARCHIBALD RAWLINGS CAMPBELL is the eldest son of Mr. William Campbell, Manager of the Victoria Insurance Company, Ltd., Adelaide, and was born at North Adelaide in 1877. He received his education at the Brighton Grammar School, Victoria, and subsequently matriculated at Melbourne University, where he afterwards studied medicine for twelve months. His inclination, however, being towards commercial life, he entered the office of the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company, in Melbourne, and continued there for two years. After a short connection with Mr. W. Medhurst Taylor, one of the largest insurance brokers of Melbourne, Mr. Campbell further improved his position by joining Messrs. Percival & Jennings, Government insurance brokers, of Melbourne, and three years later launched out on his own behalf as a general broker in the same city. Unfortunately, a wave of financial depression occurred, and relinquishing operations he went to Broken Hill and began an association with Messrs. Stephens & Bartlett, auctioneers, which lasted for nine months, when he again started business on his own account. After four years a favourable opportunity of selling out was availed of, and Mr. Campbell joined the service of the Victoria Insurance Company as Inspector at Adelaide. In the course of two years he thrice visited Kangaroo Island in connection with his inspectorial duties, and thus gained ample opportunity of gauging its prospects and resources, the result of which led to his present venture.
In 1906 he married Charlotte, third daughter of Mr. Henry Perry, of St. Kilda, Victoria.
JAMES BURTON AYLIFFE was born at Darlington, South Australia, in 1879, and was educated at the Glenelg Grammar School. His father, Mr. W. H. Ayliffe, of Brighton, owned an estate at Darlington, and was assisted in the management of the stock by his son, who also undertook matters connected with stock-dealing on his own account. At eighteen years of age he went farther afield, travelling throughout the North and South-Eastern parts of the State, and continued successfully until 1905, with one break of eight months, when he joined the First Commonwealth Contingent, and served in the Boer War under Captain de Passey. In 1897, whilst visiting Kangaroo Island on business, he purchased a large number of sheep and other stock, and on that occasion was so much impressed with the ample scope for trade offered by the island that in 1905 he settled at Kingscote, and has been closely identified with commercial pursuits at that centre ever since. With his partner he takes a keen interest in all local matters, and both gentlemen are known as good sportsmen.
-Cyclopedia of South Australia, 1909, pp.1015-1016
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