Cowper ministry (1865–1866)
Fourth Cowper ministry | |
---|---|
![]() 9th Cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales | |
![]() ![]() Premier Charles Cowper and the Colony of New South Wales (1863–1900) | |
Date formed | 3 February 1865 |
Date dissolved | 21 January 1866 |
People and organisations | |
Head of state | Queen Victoria (represented by Sir John Young) |
Head of government | Charles Cowper |
No. of ministers | 7 |
Member party | unaligned |
Status in legislature | Minority government |
Opposition party | unaligned |
Opposition leader | James Martin |
History | |
Election | 1864–65 |
Predecessor | First Martin ministry |
Successor | Second Martin ministry |
The fourth Cowper ministry was the ninth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and fourth occasion of being led by the Honourable Charles Cowper.
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. Cowper formed Government on the second occasion between 1857 and 1859; but it also lost the confidence of the Assembly. On the third occasion, Cowper formed Government following the decision by Premier John Robertson to step aside and focus on land reform,[1] however Cowper then lost the confidence to James Martin.[2] Cowper retained government by defeating Martin at the 1864–65 general election.[3]
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. These by-elections are only noted when the minister was defeated; in general, he was elected unopposed.
This ministry covers the period from 3 February 1865 until 21 January 1866, when Martin was asked to form government after Cowper again lost the conifidence of the Assembly in December 1865.[4]
Composition of ministry
Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Colonial Secretary |
Hon. Charles Cowper MLA | 3 February 1865 | 21 January 1866 | 352 days |
Colonial Treasurer | Hon. Thomas Smart MLA | 19 October 1865 | 258 days | |
Hon. Saul Samuel MLA | 20 October 1865 | 3 January 1866 | 75 days | |
Hon. Marshall Burdekin MLA | 4 January 1866 | 21 January 1866 | 17 days | |
Attorney-General | Hon. John Darvall MLA | 3 February 1865 | 20 June 1865 | 137 days |
Hon. John Plunkett MLA | 25 August 1865 | 21 January 1866 | 149 days | |
Solicitor-General Representative of the Government in Legislative Council |
Hon. John Hargrave MLA | 3 February 1865 | 352 days | |
Secretary for Lands | Hon. John Robertson MLA | 19 October 1865 | 258 days | |
Hon. William Arnold MLA | 20 October 1865 | 30 October 1865 | 10 days | |
Hon. John Robertson, MLA | 1 January 1866 | 21 January 1866 | 20 days | |
Secretary for Public Works | Hon. William Arnold, MLA | 3 February 1865 | 19 October 1865 | 258 days |
Hon. Thomas Smart MLA | 20 October 1865 | 21 January 1866 | 93 days | |
Postmaster-General a | James Cunneen | 1 October 1865 | 112 days |
:a A Member of the Government without a Seat in the Cabinet.
See also
- Charles Cowper - second Premier of New South Wales
- Self-government in New South Wales
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1864–1869
- First Cowper ministry (1856)
- Second Cowper ministry (1857–1859)
- Third Cowper ministry (1861–1863)
- Fifth Cowper ministry (1870)
References
- ^ Nairn, Bede. "Robertson, Sir John (1816 - 1891)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
- ^ Serle, Percival. "Martin, James (1820-1886)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Project Gutenberg Australia. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
- ^ Ward, John M. "Cowper, Sir Charles (1807 - 1875)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
- ^ "Former Members - Chronological List of Ministries 1856 to 2009 (requires download)". Project for the Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW. Parliament of New South Wales. Archived from the original (Excel spreadsheet) on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
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