Hon. W.J. Clarke, M.T.C.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2372, 23 October 1880, Page 4 (Supplement)

Hon. W.J. Clarke, M.T.C.

President. [ With Portrait .] The Hon. W. J. Clarke, eldest son of the late W. J. T. Clarke, an Australian pioneer, and the largest landowner in Australia, was born at Lovely Banks, in Tasmania, on the 28th March, 1831, When three years of age, he accompanied his parents to New South Wales, where his father had become possessed of some station property, the nucleus of that enormous lauded estate which he afterwards bequeathed to his children. lu 1836, the subject of this sketch returned to Tasmania. His health was

bad, and a change of climate was necessary. However, even the bracing air of Tasmania failed to recuperate the yopngster, and he was accordingly sent a voyage to England, with the happy result of a perfect restoration to health and strength. Upon his return to Tasmania, he was sent to school, first to Dr. Fry’s Academy, afterwards to Mr. Bonwick’s. When he had arrived at the age of fourteen years, he was again sent to England, where he prosecuted his studies under the direction of Dr. Lord, at Tooting, and afterwards became a scholar of Whitworth Grammar School, in Shropshire. Here he remained until 1850, when he returned to the colonies, and became manager for his father of the Dowling Forest Station. Remaining in this position a little over a year, he next took charge of the Woodlands Station, in the Wimmera, where, however, he did not remain long. He returned to Tasmania, and there, in conjunction with his brother Joseph, rented the Norton Mandeville near Campbell Town. He resided in Tasmania for the following nine or ten years, during which time he won the heart and hand of one of the handsomest young ladies in the colony, Miss Mary Walker, a daughter of the Hon. John Walker, M.L.G., a large brewer and miller in Hobart Town.

Mr. Clarke then came over to Victoria in order to devote himself to the management of his father’s extensive properties, and here, after some years of happy married life, he had the misfortune of losing his wife, who was killed by being thrown violently from her carriage. Mr. Clarke’s father died in 1871, leaving the whole of the Victorian property to his eldest son, the youngest inheriting extensive estates in New Zealand. In 1874, Mr. Clarke married his second wife, Miss Janet Snodgrass, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Peter Snodgrass, and a lady who has nobly seconded her husband in the many unostentatious acts of liberality of which he has been the author. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Clarke and his wife paid a visit to Europe, returning in 1876. During his visit to the old world, he was indefatigable in securing the best agricultural machinery for importation into Victoria. He is a most enthusiastic farmer, with advanced ideas upon the practice of agriculture, and eager, above all things, to promote the pursuit in Victoria. With this view, he engaged Mr. Maclvor as a lecturer upon agricultural chemistry, and for three years bore the cost of that gentleman’s services. The benefits which have accrued to the farming interests through this act of Me. Clarke’s, cannot be over estimated. Mr. Maclvor has given a series of free lectures upon agricultural service in every farming district of Victoria, and his discourses have been acknowledged to have done good service to the farming interest. His analytical experiments upon manures have also largely contributed to enlighten the bucolic mind ; and it is certain that if Mr. Clarke had done nothing else for Victoria, his introduction of Mr. Maclvor would

alone have earned him the gratitude of the Victorian agriculturists. When Mr. Clarke and his wife visited Rome, they saw the late Mr. Summers, the sculptor. The results of their interview may te seen in the National Gallery, where the statues of the Queen and the late Prince Consort, graven by the chisel of Mr. Summers, are the admiration of visitors. Indeed, Mr, Clarke is unceasing in his efforts to forward the material, as well as the artistic interests of Victoria. A man of retiring and domestic habits, he has not made much noise in politics. He is a member of the Upper House, _ but rarely speaks ; although his vote is usually on the sound side. He is rather a man of action than talk. His charity is not proclaimed from the housetops, and it is only those who know him intimately who are aware of his many private acts of benevolence. Here he is loyally seconded by his wife, who, it would seem, possesses both the head and heart necessary to a wise and useful employment of great wealth. Among the prominent acts of public benevolence which reflect honour upon Mr, Clarke, was the gift of £2OOO towards the Indian Famine Relief Fund. He likewise contributed a large sum in aid of the fund for the relief of the Irish tenantry during the late crisis in Ireland. He contributes £IOOO per annum for ten years towards the erection of the new Church of England Cathedral in Melbourne, and every public charity annually enjoys a noble cheque from him. Indeed, there is no matter which may be calculated to advance Victoria and its inhabitants that does not receive his generous support. Reasonably, therefore, he is one of those men against whom the most envious and malicious have no ill word to say. He enjoys universal respect, and indeed, from many, warm gratitude and affection; for there are hundreds who have been relieved from sore trouble and disaster by his kindly assistance. Mr. Clarke’s country seat is at Sunbury, where he has built a noble residence, which he calls Rupertswood. It was commenced in 1874, shortly after his marriage, and was ready for the reception of his bride and himself upon their return from Europe, in 1876. The cost of the mansion was some £45,000. In sporting matters Mr. Clarke has taken a prominent part. A short time ago, however, he retired from the turf, his reasons probably being that, as racing is conducted here, it is not the pursuit for a gentleman. Coursing finds in him an ardent supporter. He is president of the Victoria Coursing Club, and is never so happy as when he invites his f i lends to his estate to a coursing match, and to partake of his hospitality at Rupertswood Finally, Mr. Clarke is one of those liberal--minded men who are not wholly absorbed in their own interests, and who recognise the duty no less than the economical wisdom of consulting the interests of others. His conduct as a landlord is evidence of this, with the consequence that, while his tenants profit by his large-minded views, his property is carefully and judiciously cultivated. His estate at Sunbury and his Ballarat farms are models of agricultural excellence. Mr. Clarke is president of the Exhibition commission, a post which, we imagine, he scarcely relishes. Certainly the eccentric government of that body must be greatly at variance with the views of a gentleman, who has, through life, exhibited the possession of a large, generous, and liberal mind.