Media: BOOK - paperback 35 pages
Author: D. Pash
Year: 1991
Other: photos, notes
Publisher: The Pioneers Association of South Australia

New condition 

N0. 111 in the The Pioneers Association of South Australia bookets series

Assistant-Surveyor Richard Gilbert Symonds was one of Light’s surveying companions in the early days of Adelaide. He was present when Governor Hindmarsh made his Proclamation by the Old Gum Tree, and he witnessed the first pegs  being driven to mark off the streets of the city. He was also present when Colonel Light resigned but, curiously, was one of two surveyors who chose to continue in the Government service.

The story of Richard Symonds invariably turns to land investment, for this appears to have been an important motive for travelling to South Australia. As his life unfolds, it becomes evident that his fortunes waxed and waned with the prospects of the proposed Port of Newhaven, which he designed and surveyed on land he acquired adjacent to the Port River near the North Arm.

In later life, “Newhaven" Symonds, as he came to be known, spent most of his energy and finances trying to convince the public, and successive Governments, to support his grand design for this port. However, his efforts came to nought and he died, forgotten and frustrated.

Yet, by a strange coincidence, it is now possible that his memory and his grand plans may well be revived, for a recent decision was made by the S.A. Department of Lands to purchase extensive, vacant land to the south of North Arm and to develop an industrial or residential estate there. This area will encompass all of the old township and port set out by Symonds.

Information uncovered during research for this publication suggests that it would be appropriate to name this planned estate “Newhaven" and steps have been taken along these lines. Perhaps in this way. posterity will pay a small tribute to Richard Gilbert Symonds, one of Colonel Light’s unsung heroes.

... from the Introduction by John R. Porter, Surveyor-General of South Australia