Cowper ministry (1857–1859)

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Second Cowper ministry
4th Cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales
Charlescowper.jpg Australian states history 09.gif
Premier Charles Cowper and the Colony of New South Wales (1856–1859)
Date formed7 September 1857 (1857-09-07)
Date dissolved26 October 1859 (1859-10-26)
People and organisations
Monarch Queen Victoria
Governor William Denison
Head of government Charles Cowper
No. of ministers6
Member partyunaligned
Status in legislatureMinority government
Opposition partyunaligned
Opposition leader
History
Predecessor Parker ministry
Successor Forster ministry

The second Cowper ministry was the fourth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and second occasion of being led by Charles Cowper.

Contents

Cowper was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856, and fought unsuccessfully with Stuart Donaldson to form Government. When Donaldson's Government faltered a little over two months after it was formed, Cowper formed Government on the first occasion, but he also lost the confidence of the Assembly a few months later. Henry Parker formed Government, lasting a little under twelve months, until it lost an electoral bill, [1] when Cowper was again asked to form Government.

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. [2] On this occasion all 4 ministers appointed in September 1857 were re-elected unopposed. Robert Campbell and John Robertson were appointed in January 1858 however no by-elections were held as the Legislative Assembly had been dissolved for the general election which was held between 13 January and 12 February 1858. William Dalley was re-elected unopposed in November 1858. John Hargrave was not a member of parliament at the time he was appointed Solicitor General. Hargrave had resigned as a judge of the District Court and the member for East Camden, Robert Owen, was appointed to replace him. Hargrave won Owen's former seat at the by-election on 21 March 1859. [3] Edward Flood was re-elected unopposed on his appointment in October 1859.

This ministry covers the period from 7 September 1857 until on 26 October 1859, when Cowper resigned his commission, having lost an educational bill. Cowper resigned from the Assembly on the next day. [4] During the period of this ministry, there were many arrangements, with no fewer than 13 men holding the seven positions in its life of just over two years. [4] [5]

Composition of ministry

PortfolioMinisterTerm startTerm endTerm length
Premier
Colonial Secretary
Charles Cowper 7 September 185726 October 18592 years, 49 days
Colonial Treasurer Richard Jones 3 January 1858118 days
Robert Campbell 4 January 185830 March 18591 year, 85 days
Elias Weekes 18 April 185926 October 1859191 days
Secretary for Lands and Works Terence Murray 7 September 185712 January 1858127 days
John Robertson 13 January 185830 September 18592 years, 49 days
Secretary for Lands 1 October 185926 October 1859
Secretary for Public Works Edward Flood 25 days
Attorney General James Martin 7 September 18578 November 18581 year, 62 days
Alfred Lutwyche MLC 15 November 185821 February 185998 days
Lyttleton Bayley MLC / MLA 21 February 185926 October 1859247 days
Solicitor General Alfred Lutwyche MLC 7 September 185714 November 18581 year, 68 days
William Dalley 15 November 185811 February 185988 days
John Hargrave MLA / MLC 21 February 185926 October 1859247 days
Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council Lyttleton Bayley MLC 23 February 1859 28 April 1859 64 days
John Dickson MLC   [lower-alpha 1] 30 August 1859 28 September 1859 219 days
John Hargrave MLC 12 October 1859 26 October 1859 14 days

  Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

  1. ↑ A member of the government without a seat in the Cabinet. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Donaldson</span> New South Wales politician and Premier (1812-1867)

Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson was the first Premier of the Colony of New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Cowper</span> Australian politician

Sir Charles Cowper, was an Australian politician and the Premier of New South Wales on five occasions from 1856 to 1870.

The first Cowper ministry was the second ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Charles Cowper. It was the first of five occasions that Cowper was Leader of the Government. Cowper was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856, and fought unsuccessfully with Stuart Donaldson to form Government. When Donaldson's Government faltered a little over two months after it was formed, Cowper formed Government.

The Parker ministry was the third ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Henry Parker. Parker was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856 and, following the failure of the Donaldson and Cowper Governments to maintain the confidence of the Assembly, was asked to form Government.

The Forster ministry was the fifth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by William Forster. Forster was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856. He was asked to form Government after the second Cowper ministry lost an educational bill in the Assembly.

The first Robertson ministry was the sixth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by John Robertson. It was the first of five occasions that Robertson was Premier. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856.

The third Cowper ministry was the seventh ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and third occasion of being led by Charles Cowper.

The first Martin ministry was the eighth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and first occasion of being led by James Martin QC.

The fourth Cowper ministry was the ninth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and fourth occasion of being led by Charles Cowper.

The second Martin ministry was the tenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and second of three occasions of being led by James Martin QC.

The second Robertson ministry was the eleventh ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by John Robertson. It was the second of five occasions that Robertson was Leader of the Government. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856.

The fifth Cowper ministry was the twelfth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and the fifth and final occasion of being led by Sir Charles Cowper.

The third Martin ministry was the thirteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and the third and final occasion of being led by Sir James Martin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robertson ministry (1875–1877)</span>

The third Robertson ministry was the fifteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by John Robertson. It was the third of five occasions that Robertson was Premier. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856.

The second Parkes ministry was the sixteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Sir Henry Parkes. It was the second of five occasions that Parkes was Leader of the Government.

The fourth Robertson ministry was the seventeenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Sir John Robertson. It was the fourth of five occasions that Robertson led the Government. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parkes ministry (1878–1883)</span>

The third Parkes ministry was the nineteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Sir Henry Parkes in a coalition with Sir John Robertson. It was the third of five occasions that Parkes was Leader of the Government.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parkes ministry (1889–1891)</span>

The fifth Parkes ministry was the 26th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the seventh Premier, Sir Henry Parkes. It was the fifth and final occasion that Parkes was Premier. The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but was not a formal position in the government until 1920. Instead the Premier was appointed to another portfolio, usually Colonial Secretary. Having served in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1854 and 1856, Parkes was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856, however resigned from Parliament later that year. He served in the Assembly on several occasions, between 1858 and 1870, being forced to resign on 4 occasions due to his personal insolvency. He came to power as Premier on the first occasion in 1872, serving as Premier for a period of three years. However, Parkes lost the confidence of the Assembly following Governor Robinson's decision to release of the bushranger Frank Gardiner led to the defeat of the ministry in 1875.

Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council who served from 1856 to 1861 were appointed for a fixed term by the Governor on the advice of the Premier. The 1855 Constitution of New South Wales provided that the first council following self-government was for a period of 5 years from the first appointments, but that subsequent members would be appointed for life. The first appointments were on 13 May 1856 so that the first term lapsed on 13 May 1861. The number of members of the council had to be at least 21 and subsequent appointments also lapsed on 13 May 1861. The President was Sir Alfred Stephen until 28 January 1857, John Plunkett until 6 February 1858 and then Sir William Burton. Dumaresq resigned, 5 appointed, Murray appointed, Campbell resigned, Murray died, 3 appointed, Mayne resigned, 2 appointed, 2 appointed, Spain appointed, Walker died, Douglass appointed, Plunkett appointed, Tooth resigned, 2 appointed, 2 appointed, Knox resigned, Bloomfield resigned, Lethbridge resigned, Plunkett resigned, Busby resigned, Warren resigned, 5 appointed, 2 appointed, Lang appointed, Blake appointed, Dickinson resigned, Park appointed, Riley resigned, Spain resigned, Smith resigned, 3 appointed, Stephen resigned, Riddell vacated, Bayley appointed, Lutwyche resigned, Therry resigned, Bligh resigned, Pennington resigned, McNamara resigned, Eagar appointed, Hargrave appointed, Jenkins died, Dickson resigned, Wise resigned, Cowper appointed, Jones resigned, Montefiore resigned, 2 appointed, Wilshire died, A'Beckett vacated, Eagar resigned, Bland resigned, Robertson, 21 appointed, 20 resigned.</ref></ref>

References

  1. ↑ Serle, Percival (1949). "Parker, Sir Henry Watson (1808-1881)". Dictionary of Australian Biography . Sydney: Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Twomey, Anne (2004). The Constitution of New South Wales. Federation Press. pp.  442. ISBN   9781862875166 . Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  3. ↑ Green, Antony. "1859 East Camden by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales . Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 Serle, Percival (1949). "Cowper, Sir Charles (1807–1875)". Dictionary of Australian Biography . Sydney: Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 15 February 2007.
  5. ↑ Part 6 Ministries since 1856 (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales . Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "Legislative Council". The Sydney Morning Herald . 29 September 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 19 January 2021– via Trove.
Preceded by Second Cowper ministry
1857–1859		Succeeded by
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