The Aboriginal Australians heavily outnumbered them and they were fortunate in escaping with the loss of one horse with one member of their party wounded.

[2] In January 1858, Hawker entered the South Australian House of Assembly as member for the district of Victoria, and in April 1860, though a comparatively young man and opposed by Boyle Travers Finniss and Francis Stacker Dutton, was elected Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly.

[4] He was successful in this position carrying out its duties with tact and dignity, and showing a good knowledge of parliamentary practice.

In 1889, he visited India to inquire into the irrigation question, and on his return wrote a series of articles on this subject which appeared in the South Australian Register.

In his earlier days Hawker was an excellent speaker who sometimes rose to eloquence, as an old man he contented himself with short speeches, which were, however, much to the point.

[3] Admiral Edward Hawker (7 November 1782 – 8 June 1860), of Ashford Lodge, Petersfield married Joanna Naomi Poore.

[6] They had six sons and six daughters,[3] including: His brother James Collins Hawker (c. 1821–1901) arrived in SA aboard Pestonjee Bomanjee in October 1838.

He made numerous trips between England and South Australia,[14] and died at sea aboard St Leonards while en route to London.