South Australia Company
Encyclopedia
The South Australian Company was formed in London on 9 October 1835 by George Fife Angas and other wealthy British merchants to develop a new settlement in South Australia
; its purpose was to build a new colony. The South Australian Company ended business in its own right on 17 March 1949 when its management was transferred to Elders Trustee & Executor Company Ltd.
The formation of the company followed considerable lobbying by the South Australian Association, a group consisting of philanthropists, radical thinkers, dissenters and merchants. After a years of negotiation, false starts, changes and amendments to suggested charters, the British Parliament finally gave approval and passed the South Australian (Foundation) Act on 15 August 1834.
The founding Board of directors were George Fife Angas
(Chairman); Raikes Currie
; Charles Hindley
M.P.; James Hyde; Henry Kingscote; John Pirie
, Alderman; Christopher Rawson; John Rundle
M.P.; Thomas Smith; James Ruddell Todd; and Henry Waymouth; with Edmund John Wheeler, Manager; Samuel Stephens, Colonial Manager; and Edward Hill, Secretary pro tem,
on behalf of the Company. They developed a settlement at Kingscote
on Kangaroo Island
, in July 1836, but when farming proved unviable, they transferred their settlement to the mainland. The Company provided basic infrastructure for the new colony, as well as sold or leased land to immigrants who came to settle.
that established the Colony, the UK government appointed Commissioners to oversee implementation of the Acts; Thirteen based in London with a Resident Commissioner stationed in the colony. Those first appointed were Colonel Robert Torrens
(Chairman), Rowland Hill
(Secretary), G. Barnes (Treasurer), George Fife Angas
, E. Barnard, William Hutt
, J. G. Shaw-Lefevre, W. A. Mackinnon M.P., S. Mills, Jacob Montefiore, G. Palmer, and J. Wright. The first Resident Commissioner was James Hurtle Fisher
.
were named after the founding directors of the company
Chairmen
Directors
Company Secretaries
Attornies in South Australia
Local Board of Advice, Adelaide
Accountants
on the corner of Gawler Place. The new building, "Gawler Chambers", was completed in 1914.
were named after the founding directors of the company
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
; its purpose was to build a new colony. The South Australian Company ended business in its own right on 17 March 1949 when its management was transferred to Elders Trustee & Executor Company Ltd.
The formation of the company followed considerable lobbying by the South Australian Association, a group consisting of philanthropists, radical thinkers, dissenters and merchants. After a years of negotiation, false starts, changes and amendments to suggested charters, the British Parliament finally gave approval and passed the South Australian (Foundation) Act on 15 August 1834.
The founding Board of directors were George Fife Angas
George Fife Angas
George Fife Angas was an English businessman and banker who, from England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the Colony of South Australia. He established the South Australian Company and was its founding chairman of the board of directors...
(Chairman); Raikes Currie
Raikes Currie
Raikes Currie was Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1837 to 1857. He was a partner of the bank Curries & Co, Cornhill, City of London, and had several interests in the newly developing colony of South Australia...
; Charles Hindley
Charles Hindley
Charles Hindley was a Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire from 1835 until his death in 1857....
M.P.; James Hyde; Henry Kingscote; John Pirie
John Pirie
Sir John Pirie was an alderman, and Lord Mayor , of the city of London. He was the largest shipbroker in London.In the 1830s he started to uphold Wakefield's principles and became a founding director, and one of the largest financiers, of the South Australian Company.He was also a director of the...
, Alderman; Christopher Rawson; John Rundle
John Rundle
John Rundle was a British Whig politician and businessman.From 1835 to 1843, he was a Member of Parliament, representing Tavistock in the House of Commons...
M.P.; Thomas Smith; James Ruddell Todd; and Henry Waymouth; with Edmund John Wheeler, Manager; Samuel Stephens, Colonial Manager; and Edward Hill, Secretary pro tem,
Arrivals of 1836
In January 1836 four ships sailed from EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on behalf of the Company. They developed a settlement at Kingscote
Kingscote, South Australia
- Facilities :Kingscote has a school offering years 1 to 12, a hospital, supermarket, post office and Government offices. It is the administrative centre for the Kangaroo Island Council, whose offices have recently undergone a significant upgrade....
on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf St Vincent. Its closest point to the mainland is off Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the state of South Australia. The island is long...
, in July 1836, but when farming proved unviable, they transferred their settlement to the mainland. The Company provided basic infrastructure for the new colony, as well as sold or leased land to immigrants who came to settle.
| 27 July | Duke of York | (190 ton) | S.A. Company | 38 passengers |
| 30 July | Lady Mary Pelham | (206 ton) | S.A. Company | 29 |
| 16 August | John Pirie | (105 ton) | S.A. Company | 28 |
| 21 August | Rapid | (162 ton) | Commissioners | 24 |
| 11 September | Cygnet | (239 ton) | Commissioners | 84 |
| 5 October | Emma | (181 ton) | S.A. Company | 22 |
| 2 November | L'Africaine | (316 ton) | Various | 76 |
| 16 December | Tam O'Shanter | (360 ton) | O. Gilles Osmond Gilles Osmond Gilles was a settler, pastoralist, mine owner and South Australia’s first colonial treasurer.After several years of working in Hamburg, Germany as a merchant, Gilles migrated to the new Australian colony on the HMS Buffalo in 1836 and acted as the Colonial Treasurer... |
74 |
| 23 December | HMS Buffalo HMS Buffalo (1813) HMS Buffalo was a storeship of the Royal Navy, originally built in India as the merchant vessel Hindostan. She later served as a convict ship and as transport for immigrants to Australia before being wrecked in 1840.-Launch and purchase:... |
(850 ton) | Commissioners | 171 |
The Commissioners
Under the ActsSouth Australia Act 1834
The South Australia Colonisation Act 1834 is the short title of an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom with the long title...
that established the Colony, the UK government appointed Commissioners to oversee implementation of the Acts; Thirteen based in London with a Resident Commissioner stationed in the colony. Those first appointed were Colonel Robert Torrens
Robert Torrens (economist)
Colonel Robert Torrens was a Royal Marines officer, political economist, MP, owner of the influential Globe newspaper and prolific writer.Born in Ireland, son of Protestant Robert Torrens of Hervey Hill....
(Chairman), Rowland Hill
Rowland Hill
Rowland Hill may refer to:* Rowland Hill , English Member of Parliament for the City of London* Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Baronet Hill of Hawkstone , built Hawkstone Park follies...
(Secretary), G. Barnes (Treasurer), George Fife Angas
George Fife Angas
George Fife Angas was an English businessman and banker who, from England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the Colony of South Australia. He established the South Australian Company and was its founding chairman of the board of directors...
, E. Barnard, William Hutt
William Hutt (British MP)
Sir William Hutt KCB, PC was a British Liberal politician who was heavily involved in the colonization of New Zealand and South Australia.-Background and education:...
, J. G. Shaw-Lefevre, W. A. Mackinnon M.P., S. Mills, Jacob Montefiore, G. Palmer, and J. Wright. The first Resident Commissioner was James Hurtle Fisher
James Hurtle Fisher
Sir James Hurtle Fisher was a lawyer and prominent South Australian pioneer. He was the first Resident Commissioner of South Australia, the first Mayor of Adelaide and the first resident South Australian to be knighted....
.
Colonial Managers
The Colonial Managers ("CEOs" in South Australia) of the South Australian Company were:| Manager |
From |
To |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1836 | 1837 | ||
| 1837 | 1841 | ||
| 1841 | 1861 | ||
| 1861 | 1894 | ||
| 1894 | 1900 | ||
| 1901 | 1929 | ||
| 1930 | 1936 | ||
| ? | 1936 | 1949 |
Officers of the company
Most of the major streets in the Adelaide city centreAdelaide city centre
The Adelaide city centre is the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide, known by locals simply as "The City" or "Town". The locality is split into two key geographical distinctions: the city "square mile", bordered by North, East, South and West Terraces; and that part of the Adelaide Parklands...
were named after the founding directors of the company
Chairmen
- 1836-18?? George Fife AngasGeorge Fife AngasGeorge Fife Angas was an English businessman and banker who, from England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the Colony of South Australia. He established the South Australian Company and was its founding chairman of the board of directors...
(1789–1879) (Angas Street) - 1899-1923 Henry Joslin
Directors
- 1836-18?? Raikes CurrieRaikes CurrieRaikes Currie was Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1837 to 1857. He was a partner of the bank Curries & Co, Cornhill, City of London, and had several interests in the newly developing colony of South Australia...
(Currie StreetCurrie Street, AdelaideCurrie Street is a main street in the Adelaide city centre, in Adelaide, South Australia. It runs east-to-west from King William Street, through Light Square, to West Terrace on the western edge of the city centre.-Henley Beach Road:...
) - 1836-18?? Charles HindleyCharles HindleyCharles Hindley was a Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire from 1835 until his death in 1857....
(Hindley Street) - 1836-18?? James Hyde
- 1836-18?? Henry Kingscote
- 1836-18?? John PirieJohn PirieSir John Pirie was an alderman, and Lord Mayor , of the city of London. He was the largest shipbroker in London.In the 1830s he started to uphold Wakefield's principles and became a founding director, and one of the largest financiers, of the South Australian Company.He was also a director of the...
(Pirie Street) - 1836-18?? Christopher Rawson
- 1836-18?? John RundleJohn RundleJohn Rundle was a British Whig politician and businessman.From 1835 to 1843, he was a Member of Parliament, representing Tavistock in the House of Commons...
(Rundle Street) - 1836-18?? Thomas Smith
- 1836-18?? James Ruddell Todd
- 1836-18?? Henry Waymouth (Waymouth Street)
- 1880-1911 Major General Sir Stanley De A.C. Clarke, G.C.V.O., C.M.G.
- 1889-1919 Sir John H. Kennaway, Bart. C.B., M.P.
- 1891-1922 Andrew Johnston
- 1895-1931 John Henry Grant
- 1899-1931 Sir R.H. Hermon Hodge (later Lord WyfoldRobert Hermon-Hodge, 1st Baron WyfoldRobert Trotter Hermon-Hodge, 1st Baron Wyfold was a British Conservative politician.Born as Robert Trotter Hodge, he was the son of G W Hodge of Newcastle upon Tyne. He was educated at Clifton College and Worcester College, Oxford...
) - Joseph FisherJoseph Fisher (Australian politician)Joseph Fisher was a South Australian politician and newspaper proprietor born in Brighouse, Yorkshire.-Early Days:...
- Robert Barr SmithRobert Barr SmithRobert Barr Smith was an Australian businessman and philanthropist.Smith was born at Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of the Rev...
- Tom Elder Barr SmithTom Elder Barr SmithThomas Elder Barr Smith was a South Australian pastoralist and philanthropist, and the son of Robert Barr Smith.In 1917 his estate was subdivided to form the Adelaide suburb of Torrens Park....
Company Secretaries
- 1878-1911 James Hutchison
- 1911-1930+ Henry Brandreth Gibbs F.C.I.S.
Attornies in South Australia
- William Bartley
- 1850-1906 Sir Samuel DavenportSamuel DavenportSir Samuel Davenport KCMG was one of the early settlers of Australia and became a landowner and parliamentarian in South Australia....
, K.C.M.G. - 1876-1923 John Warren Bakewell
Local Board of Advice, Adelaide
- 1841-1885 William Bartley
- 1841-18?? Edward StephensEdward StephensEdward Stephens was one of the earliest settlers in the Colony of South Australia.He was born in London, the tenth child of Rev. John Stephens , sometime president of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference...
- 1856-1870 William Bakewell, M.P., Crown Solicitor
- 1876-1923 John Warren Bakewell
- 1886-1930+ Joseph FisherJoseph Fisher (Australian politician)Joseph Fisher was a South Australian politician and newspaper proprietor born in Brighouse, Yorkshire.-Early Days:...
- 1894-1932 Sir John Lancelot StirlingJohn Lancelot StirlingSir John Lancelot Stirling KCMG was an Australian politician and grazier.-Early life:Stirling was born at Strathalbyn, South Australia, the son of Edward Stirling and his wife Harriett, née Taylor and brother of Sir Edward Charles Stirling. J. L...
K.C.M.G., M.L.C.
Accountants
- Edward StephensEdward StephensEdward Stephens was one of the earliest settlers in the Colony of South Australia.He was born in London, the tenth child of Rev. John Stephens , sometime president of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference...
- Edward Robert Simpson (died 11 July 1900)
Company offices
From 1872, the South Australian Company occupied offices on North TerraceNorth Terrace, Adelaide
North Terrace is one of the four terraces that bound the central business and residential district of the city of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It runs east-west, along the northern edge of the CBD.-North Side of North Terrace:...
on the corner of Gawler Place. The new building, "Gawler Chambers", was completed in 1914.
List of people associated with the South Australian Company
Most of the major streets in the Adelaide city centreAdelaide city centre
The Adelaide city centre is the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide, known by locals simply as "The City" or "Town". The locality is split into two key geographical distinctions: the city "square mile", bordered by North, East, South and West Terraces; and that part of the Adelaide Parklands...
were named after the founding directors of the company
| Who | Association | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | Angas Street | |
| Divett, Edward | Trustee | |
| (1790–1875) | Resident Commissioner (#1) | Hurtle Square |
| Fussell, John | Trustee | |
| (1795–1869) | Governor of SA (1838-1841) | Gawler Place |
| (1791–1862) | Colonial Manager (1841-1860) | |
| (1802–1846) | Colonial secretary (#1) | Gouger Street Gouger Street, Adelaide Gouger Street is a main street in the CBD of the centre of Adelaide, South Australia. It was named after Robert Gouger, first Colonial Secretary of South Australia. Gouger Street is known for its high-end international restaurants and cafes. Cuisines found along Gouger Street include Italian,... |
| MP | Grenfell Street Grenfell Street, Adelaide Grenfell Street is a main road in the north-east quarter of the Adelaide city centre, in Adelaide, South Australia. The street runs west-east from King William Street to East Terrace. On the other side of King William Street, it continues as Currie Street... |
|
| (1812–1898) | Governor of SA (1841-1845) | |
| Founding director | Hindley Street Hindley Street, Adelaide Hindley Street is located in the West End of the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs between King William Street and West Terrace. The street was named after British parliamentarian and social reformist, Charles Hindley.... |
|
| (1785–1860) | Governor of SA (1836-1838) | Hindmarsh Square |
| Commissioner | Hutt Street | |
| Kingscote, Henry | Founding Director | Kingscote, Kangaroo Island |
| (1807–1880) | Deputy Surveyor General | |
| (1786–1839) | Surveyor General | Light Square |
| (1785–1850) | Colonial Manager (1837-1841) | |
| Moore, Henry Percival | Colonial Manager (1901-1929) | |
| (1809–1892) | Morphett Street Morphett Street, Adelaide Morphett Street is a main road in the west of the central business district of Adelaide, South Australia. It runs north-south, between North and South Terraces.... |
|
| Muller, Arthur Leopold Albert | Colonial Manager (1930-1936) | |
| Founding director | Pirie Street Pirie Street, Adelaide Pirie Street is a road on the east side of the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs east-west, between East Terrace and King William Street. After crossing King William Street, it continues as Waymouth Street... |
|
| Rawson, Christopher | Founding director | |
| (1801-1871) | Governor of SA (1845-1848) | |
| Founding director | Rundle Street Rundle Street, Adelaide Rundle Street is a street in the East End of Adelaide, South Australia. It runs from Pulteney Street in the west to East Terrace, where it becomes Rundle Road. Its former western extent, which ran to King William Street, was closed in 1972 to form the pedestrian street of Rundle Mall... |
|
| Smith, Thomas | Founding director | |
| Sparks, Henry Yorke | Colonial Manager (1894-1900) | |
| (1811–1861) | First manager of SA Banking Co | |
| (1808–1840) | Colonial Manager (1836-1837) | |
| Todd, James Ruddell | Founding director | |
| (1780–1864) | Commissioner | |
| (1796–1862) | Wakefield Street Wakefield Street, Adelaide Wakefield Street is a main thoroughfare in the centre of the South Australian capital, Adelaide.It runs in east-west between East Terrace and Victoria Square, and is one of the three streets to run through Victoria Square in the middle of the Adelaide city centre. The same three streets are also... |
|
| Waymouth, Henry | Founding director | Waymouth Street Waymouth Street, Adelaide Waymouth Street is an east-west street running between West Terrace and King William Street in the centre of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. The street is named after Henry Waymouth, a founding director of the South Australian Company... |
| (1803-1870) | Governor of SA (1848-1854) |
Further reading
- Price, A. Grenfell, Founders & Pioneers of South Australia, Adelaide, 1929
- Sutherland, George, The South Australian Company; a study in colonisation, London; New York: Longmans, Green, 1898.
- Pearse, Malcolm, Australia's Early Managers Australia Pacific Economic and Business History Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, February 2010. p.12
- State Library of South Australia factsheets online: South Australian Company
External links
- Copyright photo of a South Australian Company promisary note for sixpence, issue Kingscote, 1 June 1836, signed by Samuel Stephens