Richard Jones (14 October 1816 – 25 August 1892) was an Australian journalist, company director and politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1856 and 1860 and was the Colonial Treasurer for 118 days.
Jones was the son of a Liverpool innkeeper, but he was orphaned at a young age. He was educated in free schools and became an apprentice printer at age 15. Due to indifferent health, Jones emigrated to Sydney in 1838 and worked as a compositor. At this time he became interested in colonial politics and formed a friendship with Henry Parkes, a fellow liberal. In 1843 he established the Maitland Mercury,[1] which soon became one of the colony's leading newspapers. Jones was involved in numerous public organizations in the Maitland region including the anti-transportation league, Lower Hunter Agricultural Society and Maitland School of Arts.[2]
Jones was unsuccessful in one attempt to enter the Legislative Council prior to the establishment of responsible self-government in 1856. However, at the first election under the new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the three members for Durham.[1] He retained the seat until it was abolished at the 1859 election. He then represented the new seat of Hunter until his retirement from politics in 1860.[1] He was an active member of the Assembly and was a member of numerous committees.[3] He contributed significantly to the passage of reforms to the electoral act which allowed for a wide male franchise.
Governmentedit
Jones was New South Wales' Colonial Treasurer for 119 days during the term of the second government of Charles Cowper. The Governor, Sir William Denison, called on Jones to form a government when the premiership of William Forster collapsed in March 1860. However, Jones doubted his support in the assembly and recommended that the Governor give his commission to John Robertson. He retired from politics during the next month.
richard, jones, 1816, 1892, politician, richard, jones, 1786, 1852, member, legislative, council, 1856, 1860, richard, jones, 1786, 1852, politician, richard, jones, 1843, 1909, member, legislative, council, 1899, 1909, richard, jones, south, wales, politician. For the NSW politician Richard Jones Sr 1786 1852 who was a member of the Legislative Council 1856 1860 see Richard Jones 1786 1852 For the NSW politician Richard Jones Jr 1843 1909 who was a member of the Legislative Council 1899 1909 see Richard Jones New South Wales politician born 1843 For the NSW politician Richard Stanley Leigh Jones born 1940 who was a member of the Legislative Council 1988 2003 see Richard Jones New South Wales politician born 1940 For other people with similar names see Richard Jones disambiguation Richard Jones 14 October 1816 25 August 1892 was an Australian journalist company director and politician He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1856 and 1860 and was the Colonial Treasurer for 118 days Richard Jones7th Colonial Treasurer of New South WalesIn office 7 September 1857 3 January 1858Preceded byStuart DonaldsonSucceeded byRobert CampbellPersonal detailsBorn 1816 10 14 14 October 1816LiverpoolDied25 August 1892 1892 08 25 aged 75 Sydney Contents 1 Early life 2 Colonial Parliament 3 Government 4 Business 5 ReferencesEarly life editJones was the son of a Liverpool innkeeper but he was orphaned at a young age He was educated in free schools and became an apprentice printer at age 15 Due to indifferent health Jones emigrated to Sydney in 1838 and worked as a compositor At this time he became interested in colonial politics and formed a friendship with Henry Parkes a fellow liberal In 1843 he established the Maitland Mercury 1 which soon became one of the colony s leading newspapers Jones was involved in numerous public organizations in the Maitland region including the anti transportation league Lower Hunter Agricultural Society and Maitland School of Arts 2 Jones returned to Sydney in 1855 and after retiring from politics became the chairman of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney He was also a director of numerous other colonial companies including the Australian Gas Light Company 2 Colonial Parliament editJones was unsuccessful in one attempt to enter the Legislative Council prior to the establishment of responsible self government in 1856 However at the first election under the new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the three members for Durham 1 He retained the seat until it was abolished at the 1859 election He then represented the new seat of Hunter until his retirement from politics in 1860 1 He was an active member of the Assembly and was a member of numerous committees 3 He contributed significantly to the passage of reforms to the electoral act which allowed for a wide male franchise Government editJones was New South Wales Colonial Treasurer for 119 days during the term of the second government of Charles Cowper The Governor Sir William Denison called on Jones to form a government when the premiership of William Forster collapsed in March 1860 However Jones doubted his support in the assembly and recommended that the Governor give his commission to John Robertson He retired from politics during the next month Business editJones was chairman of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney for many years 1 References edit a b c d Mennell Philip 1892 Jones Richard The Dictionary of Australasian Biography London Hutchinson amp Co via Wikisource a b Guilford Elizabeth Jones Richard 1816 1892 Australian Dictionary of Biography National Centre of Biography Australian National University ISSN 1833 7538 Retrieved 16 April 2019 Mr Richard Jones 2 1816 1892 Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales Retrieved 16 April 2019 New South Wales Legislative Assembly New assembly Member for Durham1856 1859 With William ArnoldSamuel Gordon District abolished New district Member for Hunter1859 1860 Succeeded byIsidore Blake Political offices Preceded byStuart Donaldson Colonial Treasurer1857 1858 Succeeded byRobert Campbell Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Jones 1816 1892 amp oldid 1189265572, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
