William Keith Adam JP
William Keith Adam was Katanning’s first resident magistrate having been appointed to the office in 1891. In July, 1888, he married Jane Emily, sixth daughter of the late Mr. George Walpole Leake, Q.C. Mr Adam died of complications from pneumonia and other lung complications aboard R.M.S Rome and was buried at sea between Colombo and Fremantle on 12 December 1900.
Mr Adam was a keen sportsman, excelling in cycling, and was a member of several organisations in the 1890’s including the Katanning Turf Club.
DEATH OF MR. W. K. ADAM, R.M.
SUCCUMBS AT SEA.
West Australian
21 December 1900
We regret to record the death of Mr William Keith Adam, Resident Magistrate of Katanning, which occurred on the 12th inst., on board the R.M.S. Rome, between Colombo and Western Australia. The deceased gentleman was a son of the late Right Hon. W. P. Adam, C.I.E., M.P., of Blairadam, Kinross-shire, Scotland, who was for some time the Liberal Whip for one of Mr Gladstone’s early Administrations, and was afterwards appointed Governor of Madras, where he died in 1881. At the time of his death he was designated for a baronetcy, and, in recognition of his services, his widow was given the title of Lady Adam, C.I. His eldest son was created a baronet and is the present Sir Charles Elphinstone Adam. William
Keith Adam, the second son, and the subject of this sketch was born in London in 1861. He went to Eton for a short time, and afterwards to Exeter College, Oxford University where he took his B.A. degree. Before leaving England, he established a name as an athlete, and at one time held the English record as an amateur cyclist, on the old-fashioned ordinary.
In 1883, Mr Adam arrived in Western Australia and for some years was settled at Magenup, in the Blackwood district, where he soon became known, and made a large number of friends. In 1891, he was appointed Resident Magistrate for the Katanning district a position he occupied at the time of his death. In July, 1888, he married Jane Emily, sixth daughter of the late Mr. George Walpole Leake, Q.C. of the marriage there were two sons and two daughters.
Mr Adam had been absent from the colony only a few months, having proceeded, earlier in the year to England, on a visit to some of his friends. His wife and family accompanied him, and upon leaving England to return to Western Australia, the two boys were left in England. At the time of his departure from the mother country, he was apparently in excellent health. During the voyage he contracted a chill, and was stricken down with pneumonia, with other lung complications. He had previously been a sufferer from asthma, but not so severe as to cause any anxiety to his friends and relatives. When Colombo was reached, a telegram was received by his friends in this colony to the effect that he was very ill, consequently, they were somewhat alarmed about his condition. Upon the arrival of the Rome at Fremantle, yesterday, it was learned that Mr. Adam died on Thursday, the 12th inst., between Colombo and Fremantle, and had been buried at sea.
The news came as a great shock to his large circle of friends in the colony, and the greatest sympathy was everywhere expressed for his widow and family in their sad bereavement.
Captain Adam of the Scotch Guards, and A.D.C. to Lord Elgin, Governor General of India. and who was wounded at Glencoe, is a brother of the deceased gentleman, and recently the family received a bereavement by the death of another of the brothers, who was killed in South Africa. Mr. Adam’s elder brother, the present baronet, is a bachelor but in default of a direct heir the title, in the terms of the letters patent, will die with him.
ADAM MEMORIAL TABLET.
Western Mail
23 November 1901
On this page is a reproduction of a marble tablet erected in the Katanning Agricultural Hall in memory of the late Mr. W. K. Adam, who was for some years resident magistrate in that district.
The tablet which is the work of Mr. J. A. Hartman, of Albany was unveiled by Mr. F.H. Piesse M.L.A. early in October in the presence of a large number of towns people. The inscription on the tablet reads:
“In memory of William Keith Adam. B.A.: the first Resident Magistrate of Katanning, second son of the Right Honourable W. P. Adam, of Blair Adam Scotland. He died at sea on December 12. 1900 in his fortieth year. Appointed to the office of Resident Magistrate in 1892 he did much to promote and foster the interests of the settlers in this district, and, in the discharge of his duties, secured the respect and confidence of all. After a visit to England, and on the return voyage he died on board the R.M.S Rome, between Colombo and Fremantle and was buried in latitude 35 deg. South, and longitude 88 deg. East.”
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KATANNING TURF CLUB.
Western Mail
22 December, 1894
The annual meeting of this club was held on December 3rd, at the Katanning Hotel.
Present: Dr. House and Messrs W. K. Adam, F. E Piesse, T. H. Stanbury, T. Connor, G. A. Piesse, F. C. Carruthers, R. M. Fenceca, T. Haddleton, A. E. Piesse, G. E. House, J. Butler, and the hon secretary, Mr. A. W. Piesse.
Mr. W. K. Adam was voted to the chair, and in his opening address stated that it had been arranged that the annual meeting of the club was to take place four days later than the Albany meeting in order to convenience horse owners and in a way to work in conjunction with the Albany club for mutual benefit.
The secretary read the balance sheet for the past season, which showed the amount of £17 14s. 9d. to the credit of the club.
William Keith Adam JP. William Keith Adam JP