Otim SINGH (1862-1927)

OTIM SINGH, general storekeeper, "The People's Store," Kingscote, is the second son of the late Budda Singh, of the district of Proitpool, Moca, India, and was born near Moca, in the Punjaub, in 1862. At the close of his schooldays he engaged in general dealing in India until his nineteenth year; then, proceeding to Delhi, in Sumatra, was employed as supervisor in a large tobacco-plantation at Sumpontiga, on behalf of an English firm for about five years, having 200 coolies under his control. He then returned to his native place, where he had purchased some land, and after spending nine months there visited his brother at Batavia, two months later deciding to come to Australia. He landed at Melbourne in the year 1890, and received his English education in that city, gaining a sufficient mastery of the language in three months to enable him to continue his travels inland. He journeyed to Ballarat, and subsequently to Colac, and meeting with one of his countrymen was instructed by him in the trade of a hawker, which calling he followed in that district for three months. The same occupation was continued by Mr. Singh in the southern centres, from Wolseley as headquarters, and he was fortunate in gaining a very good connection and doing a fair trade.

In 1897 he came to Adelaide, and after two months took the advice of a friend to settle on Kangaroo Island, where it was averred he would find excellent scope for his business. In those days no commercial travellers visited the island, so, with a free field before him, he trudged along with his bundles on his back. The appearance of the country pleased him, and he determined to give the place a fair trial, with the ultimate result that success so crowned his efforts that he was able to establish himself in a store. His first premises, which were built of tin, were in time replaced by a stone building 20 feet long, which afterwards was enlarged, and finally, in 1907, the present fine premises were erected. "The People's Store," which has a frontage of 60 by 48 feet, is one of the best shops in Kingscote, and Mr. Singh's connection extends throughout the length and breadth of the island.

Since coming to this State he has had no dealings with his countrymen, preferring to make his purchases direct from the business houses of Adelaide. In earlier life he had a great ambition to join the British Army in India, and whilst in Sumatra served four years in the British Mounted Police.

In 1906 he was married to Susannah, daughter of the late Mr. David Buick, of Hog Bay, Kangaroo Island.

- Cyclopedia of South Australia, 1909, pp.1017-1018