Hill, Joseph Augustus

Obituary

Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), Saturday 16 July 1904, page 4

DEATH OF A WORTHY PIONEER.

One by one those who faced the dangers and inconveniences of settling in a new promising and untried country, and to whom we of the present day owe so much, are "crossing the bar" and enter- ing into their eternal rest. Each anni-versary celebration at Glenelg records a diminishing "roll call" and the voice of some hardy veteran is no longer heard. Strange that in many instances it is only by their deaths that their names come into prominence and the recollections of what they have done are revived. While in the flesh they are but little noticed, chiefly from the fact that those who in the heyday of their youth were most active in the development of the young colony and held even leading positions, in their old age seek retirement and peace from the busy maddening crowd. In some instances that seclusion, has unfortunately been brought about through adverse circumstances and an inability to keep up with the rapid strides of progress which the past half century has witnessed in South Australia. Last Monday night, at midnight in the quiet little country township of Laura one of the oldest, (if not the oldest) pioneers of this state passed away into eternity. Mr J. A. Hill was a gentleman known to a great many people, but all did not know what an old colonist he was, nor the parts he had taken in the history of the colony. He arrived in South Australia in June 1836 having come out in the ship Africaine, having as a shipmate the late Mr Robert Thomas the first Government printer, and father of the late Mr Kyffin Thomas of the Register. The deceased gentleman had been for several weeks past confined to his bed at North Laura suffering great pain from a tumourous growth. On account of his advanced age (85), the medical attendant considered it too dangerous to risk an operation. He was for nearly 25 years Clerk of Booyoolee District Council and a regular contributor to the local press. A few incidents connected with the life of the late Mr Hill as related by himself will be of great interest to the many friends who knew him. The Africaine took three months to make the voyage out from England. As soon as she sighted Kangaroo Island six of her passengers decided to go ashore and walk to Kingscote. But only four reached the settlement, two being left behind and died, but their remains were never found. "After a short stay at Kingscote, the voyage was continued to Holdfast, where the settlers landed. Mr Hill and Mr W. K. Thomas constructed the first oven built in the colony. It was a semi-circular structure, composed of a framework of iron hoops plastered over on both sides with a mixture of clay and grass, it was not an elegant structure, but it answered the purpose, and several bakings were done in it before it finally collapsed. Mr Hill was at Glenelg when the Buffalo arrived with Governor Hind-marsh on board, and on December 28 of that year he attended the historic gathering near the Old Gumtree to witness the official birth of the new province. When the flag was being hoisted by the boats-wain of the Buffalo the late Mr Hill took hold of the rope to which the Union Jack was attached, and to that extent assisted in the ceremony. After the site of Adelaide had been surveyed he obtained a situation as clerk to Mr A. Hardy, the first town surveyor, and his principal duties consisted of paying the gangs of men employed clearing the streets of the trees and scrub which covered them. Afterwards he was drafted into the Surveyor-General's office, and eventually became chief clerk in the Commissariat Department. He was under Capt Holmes, and remained in this position till the financial crash came in Governor Gawler's time ; and he was then thrown on his own resources. He next obtained employment from Mr Peter, who was forming a sheep station where the Burra Mine was afterwards discovered. He subsequently worked as compositor and reporter in the late Mr Dehane's printing office in Morphett street.- 'Things became dull in the city, however, and he once more took to the country, determined never again to reside in Adelaide. He opened a school at Macclesfield under the old Education Board, of which Dr. Mayo was President. The schoolrooms a wooden building, was used on Sunday, as a Congregational Chapel. When gold gold diggings in Victoria broke out most of the male inhabitants of Macclesfield left for the golden regions. Some of the Magistrates suggested that Mr Hill should take the position of police trooper for protection of the place. He assented, and shortly afterwards received a notice from the Government that he had been appointed resident police officer at Macclesfield." On the death of his father Mr Hill took a short trip home to secure his inheritance, and on his return made some unfortunate speculations in Northern Territory gold ventures, and lost his all. He then went into the bush again, and spent several years on Messrs Hughes', Wellington's station. He also became for some a private school master until "free" education closed most of the private establishments. Mr Hill was the oldest journalist in this State, and some of his writings were above the usual standard of country contributions. His kindness of manner and geniality of disposition gained for him a large circle of friends. His recitals of experiences of himself and the earliest settlers made him a visitor in many homes. It is much to be regretted that he did not commit them to writing. The funeral was very largely attended.