CHAPTER 13 | 1900s – Federation
Adelaide Observer article Inspector of Vineyards Mr. Henry Lowcay, the newly appointed Inspector of Vineyards under the Phylloxera Act, is an Englishman by birth, but his father, being a Professor of the University of France, and also of the ‘Ecole d'Application du Genie Maritime’ (School of Naval Architecture), the Inspector always resided in France, and was educated there. After leaving College he followed viticultural pursuits, and also made a special study of the phylloxera insect in many of the affected districts of France. At the beginning of 1888 the Cape Government appointed Mr Lowcay to the position of Inspector of Phylloxera, and up to the end of 1890 lie was engaged in the eradication of the disease. From 1890 to 1896 he was Head Inspector in charge of the Vineyards of the Cape Peninsula, and of the noted district of Constantia. The testimonials he received from the Government testify to the skill which he displayed in the many technicalities of his profession, and the energy and hearty willingness with which he worked, and an extract from one handed to him by the ‘Constantia Association’ refers in a complimentary manner to the tact Mr. Lowcay displayed during the performance of his duties. Mr Lowcay’s instructions are to proceed immediately with the inspection of all the vineyards in the ‘Central District’, as defined in the Phylloxera Act, 1899, and already he has seen a large number of vineyards along the Torrens. [ Adelaide Observer SA: 1843–1904]
… [T]he kangaroo, the emu have disappeared; in their place are those foolish gifts of the white man to the bush – the rabbit and the fox. The brush fence is no more; the blackwoods of which he so often speaks are but a faded glory before the clearing axe. – GK Soward, The Lone Hand , vol. 6, 1901
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