Obituaries Australia

Alexander Downer, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 September 1916

Mr. Alexander George Downer died at his residence, Belair, near Adelaide, on 17th August. The late Mr. Downer, who was in his seventy-eighth year, was largely interested in the pastoral industry of South Australia, and took a very keen interest in all matters in connection with the promotion of sheep and cattle breeding. When the campaign started against the squatter nearly thirty years ago, Mr. Downer associated himself with a few stalwarts, and endeavoured, in the interests of the State, to prevent the industry receiving its death blow. Although a considerable amount of damage was done to the industry, it was due to the efforts of Mr. Downer and others that the campaign against it was not successful, and they succeeded in getting more liberal pastoral land laws, and saving the situation generally. Mr. Downer was for very many years associated with his brother (the late Sir John Downer) in the legal firm of G. and J. Downer, and in addition he was a director for many years of Elder, Smith and Co. and the Bank of Adelaide. He was a man of sterling character and rare sagacity, and his personality had a wide influence in South Australia.