Alf Morgans

The Honourable Alf Morgans
Premier of Western Australia
In office 21 November – 23 December 1901
Governor	Sir Arthur Lawley
Preceded by	George Leake
Succeeded by	George Leake
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia
In office 4 May 1897 – 28 June 1904
Preceded by	None (new creation)
Succeeded by	Henry Ellis
Constituency	Coolgardie
Personal details
Born	(1850-02-17)17 February 1850 Machen, Monmouthshire, Wales
Died	10 August 1933(1933-08-10) (aged 83) South Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Alfred Edward "Alf" Morgans (17 February 1850 – 10 August 1933) was the fourth Premier of Western Australia, serving for just over a month, from 21 November to 23 December 1901.

Born in Wales, Morgans trained as an engineer, and supervised mining operations in the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Central America. He came to Western Australia in 1896, during the gold rush, and developed the Mount Morgans Gold Mine. Morgans was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia in 1897, representing the seat of Coolgardie. He was appointed premier in late 1901, as a compromise candidate to replace George Leake, but his government was brought down after only 32 days. Leake returned as premier, and Morgans left parliament in 1904, at the end of his term. His career in politics lasted just over seven years, the shortest of any Premier of Western Australia, and only Hal Colebatch served as premier for a shorter period.

Early life and career

Alf Morgans was born at Ochr Chwith Machen Lower, Machen, Monmouthshire in Wales (UK) on 17 February 1850. He was educated at private schools and subsequently attended the Welsh School of Mines. After completing his studies, he was apprenticed to a mechanical engineering firm at Ebbw Vale.

On 19 March 1872, he married Fanny Ridler at Gloucester in England. In 1878, Morgans' employers sent him to Mexico to supervise their gold and silver mines. He worked in Central America for a period of 18 years, during which time he learned to speak Spanish fluently, and developed an interest in Mexico's natural and archaeological history. He unearthed a number of Aztec pieces, some of which he donated to the British Museum.

Morgans moved to Western Australia in 1896 as a representative of Morgans' Syndicate Ltd. to inspect mining properties for London-based investors seeking sound investment opportunities. He acquired numerous properties and mining interests throughout the state, including Westralia Mount Morgans, and he was generally considered to be a leading authority on mining investment.

Political career

On 4 May 1897, Morgans was elected to the Legislative Assembly seat of Coolgardie.

In parliament, he was a supporter of Premier Sir John Forrest. After Forrest resigned from state politics, the former supporters of Forrest continued to work together; the group became known under the moniker of ministerialists. In November 1901, the ministerialists defeated Premier George Leake on a no-confidence vote, and he was compelled to resign. However, they were initially unable to agree on a nominee for premier, and when the governor invited Frederick Henry Piesse to form a government, he could not secure enough support.

The ministerialists eventually agreed on Morgans as a compromise candidate, and he took office as premier and colonial treasurer on 21 November 1901, despite having never previous held any ministerial office.

However, in the subsequent ministerial by-election¹, supporters of Leake stood against Morgans' newly appointed cabinet, and three of the six new ministers were defeated. Morgans then asked Governor Lawley for a dissolution of the Assembly, but this was refused. He resigned as premier on 23 December 1901, and Leake took office again, this time with clearly defined support. Morgans did not re-nominate at the subsequent election.

Diplomatic career

Alf Morgans' life after politics consisted of a number of consular-diplomatic appointments in Western Australia. From 1910 to 1917, he was Austro-Hungarian Consul for Western Australia; in 1915 he was also Vice-Consul for Spain. From 1918 to 1920 he was a member of the North Fremantle Municipal Council and also acting Consular Agent for the United States of America. He remained in the position of Consular Agent for the United States until 1930.

He died on 10 August 1933 at South Perth in Western Australia.

Notes

1. Until 1947, newly appointed ministers were required to resign and stand for re-election.

References

• Black, David; Bolton, Geoffrey (2001). Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Volume One, 1870–1930 (Revised ed.). Parliament House: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0730738140.
• Reid, G. S. and Oliver, M. R. (1982). The Premiers of Western Australia 1890–1982. Nedlands, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 0-85564-214-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• The Constitution Centre of Western Australia (2002). Governors and Premiers of Western Australia. West Perth, Western Australia: The Constitution Centre of Western Australia. ISBN 0-7307-3821-3.
• Kimberly, W.B. (compiler) (1897). History of West Australia. A Narrative of her Past. Together With Biographies of Her Leading Men. Melbourne: F.W. Niven.