[From IoM Examiner Annual 1935]

MR. ROBERT QUINE HAMPTON, M.H.K.,

who was elected to the House of Keys at the General Election in November, 1934, as one of the representatives for North Douglas. He has been an earnest student of Insular politics for many years and he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Keys in 1921. In the days when the Manx Liberal Association exercised a big influence in political matters he was a prominent member of that body. Educated at the old Thomas Street Wesleyan Day School, he later entered the business of his uncle, Mr. Moses Hampton, ships' chandler and general agent for a large number of sailing vessels which traded in and out of Douglas harbour in the latter years of the last century, and leading oil importer. Mr. Hampton subsequently acquired his uncle's business, and with the swift development of the combustion engine and consequent rapid growth of motor traffic he built up a flourishing business in connection with the sale of motor spirit and lubricating oil. He disposed of this business to the famous Shell petrol company and has lived a life of comparative ease for a number of years. He is by no means inactive, however, for he is a director of the Douglas Gas Light Co., the I.o.M. Railway Co., and the Douglas Steam Saw Mills Co. His commercial experience has given him a broad, practical outlook, and he is likely to make sound contributions to the Legislative debates.

MR. ARTHUR EDWIN KITTO, M.H.K.,

was elected to the House of Keys as representative for North Douglas at the General Election in November, 1934. This was his first bid for political honours, but his father, the late Mr. W. H. Kitto, who was manager of the Foxdale mines when Foxdale was a flourishing mining centre, represented Glenfaba in the House of Keys for 18 years. Mr. Kitto, who was educated at King William's College, also began his career as mining engineer at Foxdale, and in 1911 he obtained an appointment in Egypt. During the war he served in Palestine with the Royal Engineers, and when the war was over he returned to Egypt, and was the leader of two mining expeditions which went through the Sudan to Western Abyssinia. He later lived for ten years in Edinburgh where he was engaged in mining and commercial enterprises, particularly the extraction of fuel oil from coal, and he also became chairman of directors of the Leadhills mines in Lanarkshire. He retired to the Island early in 1934. His extensive mining knowledge should prove of great value to the Legislature when the Island development schemes are under review. He is a director of the Palace and Derby Castle Co., and as he is only 47 years old, there is a promise that he will become a prominent Island figure in the years that lie ahead.

MR. AMBROSE QUALTROUGH, M.H.K.,

who was returned to the House of Keys, after an absence of five years, as a member for Rushen in the General Election of November, 1934. Mr. Qualtrough first represented Rushen in the Keys in 1907, and he is "Father" of the present House. He is a native of Port St. Mary, and for many years he carried on business there and in Port Erin as a butcher and a restaurant proprietor. He is still engaged in the latter occupation. Since his manhood he has taken a keen interest in Manx politics and local affairs. As a member of the Port Erin Commissioners about thirty years ago, he gained a reputation for fearlessness and independence, and these qualities have been outstanding right through his public career. He has been an ardent champion of the poor, and is held in great affection by large numbers of his constituents. His warm-heartedness and practical benevolence more than offset his political deficiencies, and he is a very popular figure in the south of the Island. His public work includes a term on the old Rushen School Board. He held his seat in the House of Keys from 1907 to 1929 when he was defeated in the General Election of that year.

MR. JOHN JOSEPH FARAGHER, C.T.C.,

who was appointed Chairman of the Ramsey Town Commissioners in December, 1934, in succession to the Rev. M. W. Harrison. Mr. Faragher has been a member of the Commissioners for five years, and was Vice-Chairman for two terms immediately prior to his appointment as Chairman. He is a native of Andreas, where he was born about 48 years ago, and he carries on business as a grocer in Parliament Street, Ramsey. He is also a member of the Ramsey Board of Guardians. His interest in the affairs of his native parish have not diminished, and he is a member of that energetic committee which organises the Island's leading sports festival at Andreas every May, and an ex-Chairman of the Andreas Benevolent Society.

MR. ROBERT H. BLACKBURN, J.P.,

was elected in November to be Chairman of the Castletown Town Commissioners for the ensuing year, during which time his office will entitle him to assist in the dispensation of justice in the southern district as a Justice of the Peace. He has been a member of the Town Board for many years and his record of service in that direction is such that, if he is spared, he will serve for many more years to come. Mr. Blackburn is also a member of the Board of Poor Law Guardians in the old capital, and, here again, he has shown his Capabilities as a public servant. A prominent Odd Fellow, he is one of the most well-known members of the Order in the south of the Island. He is a Past Grand Master of the Isle of Man District, Permanent Secretary of the Loyal Hope and Anchor Lodge.

MR. M. REDFEARN SMITH, B.A.,

had the unique distinction of being appointed to two public bodies in contested elections within the short space of six weeks. On October 9th last he was elected to represent Castletown on the Isle of Man Education Authority, and on Novem ber 20th he was elected a member of the Castletown Town Commissioners. Of a very genial disposition, Mr. Smith has had a fairly full and interesting career. He was educated at the City of London School and Queen's College, Oxford. A very clever footballer, he captained North Devon at "Soccer," and played "'Rugger" for Barnstaple. He has been a master at Highgate, Oxford High School and Llandwery, but left the teaching profession for political work. He enlisted in the Cornwalls, and after becoming a sergeant obtained his Commission in the same battalion, eventually commanding 'B' Company." He saw service with the D.C.L.I. Pioneers in France and Belgium, was seconded in 1918 as Town Major of Fontencourt, and in the final advance was Officer Commanding the 5th Corps Prisoners of War Camp, over 20,000 prisoners passing through his hands. In 1918 he became first head of the Junior House at King William's College, Castletown, and, later, house-master of Hangoside. At present he is retired on pension.