Born at Kilmarnock in Scotland in 1835, educated at Edinburgh High School and University. Settled in Moreton Bay District in 1853, entered the Legislative Assembly 1883, became Minister for Railways 1888–90, Leader of Opposition 1891, Minister without portfolio 1892, Colonial Treasurer 1893, Premier in November of the same year.
The list of Jubilee honours published in the newspapers of June 22 presented some features of great interest. The most popular elevations were those of the eleven Colonial Prime Ministers to the dignity of Privy Councillors. It was felt that the nucleus of the long-dreamed-of Pan-Britannic Council had been formed. The elevation of Mr. W. E. H. Lecky, one of the members for the Dublin University, to the same dignity was recognised as a graceful compliment to the world of learning. |Jubilee Honours.| The baronetcy conferred on the Lord Mayor of London was well-deserved, for no Lord Mayor had done so much in the present century to enhance the reputation of the Mansion House for philanthropic enterprise and lavish hospitality. Two new Lord Mayoralties, those of Sheffield and Leeds, were created; and three towns, Nottingham, Bradford, and Kingston-upon-Hull, were raised to the importance of cities. In late years peerages have generally been bestowed on men who have achieved greatness in the commercial world, and no choice could have been happier than that of Sir John Burns, Bart., the head of the Cunard Steamship Company, while that conferred on the Right Hon. Sir Donald Smith, G.C.M.G., was held to be as much a compliment to the man himself as to the Dominion of Canada, of which he was High Commissioner.
By permission of] [F. Sanders & Co., Florists, St. Albans.
DIAMOND JUBILEE ORCHID TROPHY.
This beautiful bouquet adorned the Royal Dinner Table on June 22. It stood 8 feet 6 inches high and measured 6 feet through, and was arranged in a gilded wicker basket. The upper portion took the form of a royal crown, beneath which were the letters V. R. I., each a foot in length, composed of Epidendrum Vitellinum on a ground of Odontoglossum Citrosmum. Orchids from Australia, South Africa, New Guinea, Burmah, British Guiana, the West Indies, and other parts of Her Majesty’s dominions were among the 50,000 to 60,000 flowers employed in this, the most magnificent bouquet ever constructed.
From a Photograph] [by Elliott & Fry.
THE RIGHT HON. SIR J. GORDON SPRIGG,
Premier of Cape Colony.