Alexander Adie (Australian pioneer)

For the Scottish inventor, see Alexander Adie.

Alexander Adie (1861 – 18 July 1940) was a pioneer of the sugar industry in Childers, Queensland where he was born, and the third chairman of the Isis Central Sugar Mill Company.[1][2][3] From 1897 till 1939 Adie kept a work diary or farm production record.[4] Fifteen of his diaries have survived, being rescued as they were on their way to the local tip. They provide a record of farm life in the late 19th century and in particular, the recruitment and employment of South Sea Islanders known then as Kanakas. Adie used his diaries to keep a tally of work done by his Kanakas or contract gangs in order to know how much pay was needed for each person.

References

1. "Death of Mr. A. Adie". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 20 July 1940. p. 10. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
2. "Childers, the Thriving Capital of a Fertile Districts". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 8 April 1930. p. 20. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
3. THE HISTORY OF THE ISIS SCRUB by Authur Laurie
4. Diaries of Alexander Adie 1897–1899. Alexander Adie. Childers Historical Society, Childers.