A Distinguished Irishman

The Tuam Herald, Saturday, March 26, 1904.

We have just received a copy of the Pretoria News, containing an interesting account of the brilliant career and high position occupied in that rising South African city by the Hon. Edward Francis Bourke, the first Mayor of Pretoria. Mr. Bourke was born in South Africa, but his respected father was a native of Ballybane, near Castlegar, and one of a fine old Catholic family living there for generations and all the members of whom, like those of many other families, were obliged some years ago to emigrate. Out contemporary's account of its leading citizen is as follows, and we have much pleasure in transferring it in its entirety to our columns: —

Mr. E. F. Bourke was born in Maritzburg, Natal, in 1852. He was the eldest son of John Bourke, a pioneer colonist of the garden colony. He received his education at private schools and at the Maritzburg High School. Entering early in life into the commercial arena, he has Messrs. A. Fass & Co. to thank for the foundations of a sound commercial training. Mr. Bourke came to the Transvaal in 1877 and accepted the management of Mr. Henry Russell's business (one of the oldest in Pretoria), in January of that year. In 1878, Mr. Bourke was recalled to Natal, to take temporary charge of Messrs. A. Fass and Company's business, in Durban, and returned finally to the Transvaal, early in 1879. Shortly after his return, the well—known firm of Bourke and Company was established. This firm Mr. Bourke carried on for many years, resigning its direction eventually, to the care of his brothers, he himself taking over the control of the Bourke Estate and Trust Company, of which he was, and is Chairman. Mr. Bourke is director of numerous smaller companies, and is largely interested in farming and other agricultural pursuits. He took part in the early development of the great gold mining industries, but without any very great measure of financial success. Throughout the stirring days of Barberton's beginnings, and the initial mining in the district of Witwatersrand, he remained steadily at work in Pretoria, although none of his local ventures proved really successful.

Mr. Bourke is an active member of the Wesleyan community, and has been keenly interested in the work of other churches. He was identified with the Pretoria Hospital from its inception — served on the committee and was a trustee up to the British occupation. For some time was Chairman of the Pretoria Nurses' Home and actively interested in the Pretoria Benevolent Society, of which Mrs. Bourke is one of the original members. In educational matters he has a creditable record. He was one of the original committee which took over the English scholars after the retrocession, and through varying fortunes these schools were carried on. For a time he was on the Government School Commission. He was one of those who helped to keep English Schools going, with or without Republican help. The most notable of his work in this direction was perhaps the Girls Ministering League and the Pretoria Boys' Brigade. These ran for some years, and in connection there with he was the moving spirit in inaugurating the Children's Exhibitions, which were held yearly, ran for three or four days consecutively, and there were a great success. Mr. Burke is a well—known patron of sports of all kinds and of atheltics. His interest in Pretoria cricket is very keen, and he has arranged for visits from the famous cricketers Brockwell, Albert Trott, and Braund. In his early days Mr. Bourke was captain of the Maritzburg Rugby team, and still takes a hearty interest in the game. When he can find time to do so he plays golf, and although an indifferent shot, is taking his part in endeavoring to wake up interest in game protection. He was very lately succeeded by Mr. Justice Curlewis as chairman of the Transvaal Game Protection Association, an active and influential body which is doing good work. As a member of the first Pretoria Town Council, 1880 — which never really got to work — he served on the Town Sanitary Commission, and was Staaderaadalid under the late Government. For two or three years before the war he did good service as one of the directors of the National Bank, and took part in the work of the Public Library. He has lately been appointed as a Government member to the present Library Committee, and now—a—days is perhaps best known as Chairman of the Pretoria Chamber of Commerce, an influential and representative body, with whom he was identified in its early days. It was the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, then. Keenly alert to the interests of the country, he has several times represented his Chamber at the early congresses. On its constitution, the High Commissioner nominated him as a member of the Legislative Council, on which he sat during last session. The posts of honour held at the present moment by Mr. Bourke are far too numerous to mention in detail, but that of Chairman of the Irish Association is not the least important.