District Council of Dudley

A well referenced article can be found at Wikipedia.

The District Council of Dudley was a local government area on Kangaroo Island in South Australia from 1888 to 1996. It was proclaimed on 7 June 1888 under the District Councils Act 1887 after being "severed" from the District Council of Kingscote. In 1996, it was amalgamated with the District Council of Kingscote to create the Kangaroo Island Council.

The following persons were elected to serve as chairman of the district council for the following terms:

Thomas Willson – the first chairman who served for "many years" between 1888 and his death in 1901.

Charles Danford Willson – served four terms prior to his death in 1936.

Edward Lawrence Bates (1934–36 and 1938–41)

Ephraim Steen Bates (1936–38)

Thomas Owen Willson (1942–43, 1947–48, 1949–50 and 1952–54)

Danford Willson (1943–44)

Frederick Wellington Neave (1944–45)

Walter Reginald Willson M.M. (1945–46, 1951–52 and 1958–59)

Leonard Paul Trethewey (1946–47, 1960–63 and 1971–77)

Lester Dudley Buick (1950–51 and 1954–55)

John Rowe Trethewey (1955–58 and 1963–67)

Bruce Steen Bates (1959–60)

Albert Victor Willson (1967–68)

Hartley Glen Willson (1968–71)

HOG BAY, July 7, 1888

A meeting of ratepayers was held to-night at Mr. H. F. Bates's, Mr. E S. Bates, Jun., in the chair, to consider the present constitution of the District Council of Dudley, at which meeting the following resolutions were proposed and carried, to be sent to Messrs. Downer and Hussey for presentation to the Government: —

1. That the ratepayers of this district are dissatisfied with the constitution of the present Council.

2. That there be not less than seven Councillors.

3. That all public meetings of Council be posted up in conspicuous places both sides of public roads.

4. That they should have an election and elect their own Councillors, and accordingly request the Government to dissolve the present Council for the re-election of new members.

This district was separated some time ago from Kingscote, because ratepayers here knew that they would have no voice in the elections there ; and although they obtained their wish it seems as though it is going to be as bad here, for in the formation of the present Council they thought the present Councillors would be out of office at tbe end of the last month, and they would then have a chance to nominate and elect men of their own choice.

The following newspaper extracts often mention the nominated candidates for the District Council elections, not necessarily those elected.

1887. (24 Dec) A public meeting of ratepayers was held at Penneshaw, Hog Bay, this evening to nominate Councillors and Auditors under the new Act. Mr. Thomas Willson, J.P., presided. The following gentlemen were nominated as Councillors:—Messrs. William Buick, near Hog Bay; Thomas Willson, jun., Willson's River; John Tretheway, Salt Lagoon; Robert Clark, Antechamber Bay; and William Howard, Cuttlefish. For Auditors :—Messrs. Thomas Simpson, Hog Bay; Charles Danford Willson, American Bush. The ratepayers expressed an opinion that the Queenscliffe or western end of the district should also nominate other members to serve that portion.

1889. Councillors—T. Willson, 40; W. Buick, 35; T. Lashmar, 31; W. Howard, 30; W. V. Simpson, 22; all elected. Auditor, C. D. Willson, 27, elected.

1890. Councillors — Messrs. T. Lashmar, 35; D. Buick, 32; and J. McArthur (elected). Auditors —Messrs. W. V. Simpson, 19 (elected); H. Lashmar, 19; and J. Bartlett, 11.

1891. For Councillors— J. Johnston, 23 (elected): T. Willson. J.P., 27 (elected); T. Simpson, 22 (elected). For Auditor—W. Howard, 33 (elected).

1892. For Councillors—R. Clark, 30; J. Tretheway, 29; W. Buick, 20. For Auditor—T. Lashmar, 24. There were seven candidates for Councillorship and three for Auditorship.

1895. For Councillors—Robert Johnstone, 39 (elected); Thomas Lashmar, 35 (elected); Thomas Willson, sen., 33 (elected); Henry Frederick Bates, 19; Ephraim Steen Bates, jun., 11. For Auditor—William Buick, 36 (elected); Ephraim Steen Bates, sen., 18.

1897. The following Persons have been this day nominated as Councillors for the District of Dudley:—David Buick, Henry Neave, James Fraser, Samuel Neave, Thomas Willson, Sen.; also as Auditors, Henry Neave, William Valentine Simpson.

1899. Nominations called for three councillors in place of Messrs. Thomas Wilson, Mr. William Buick, who retire by rotation, and Mr. John Tretheway, who retires by resignation. Also, for one auditor, in place of Mr. H. Neave, who retires by effluxion of time.

1901. Hog Bay is hampered with its disorderly sections as well as places ten times its size, and they were very evident on July 1, on the occasion of the district council elections. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page8465280

1902. Nominations called for three councillors in place of Mr. N. T. Simpson, who retires by rotation, and Mr. T. Lashmar and Mr. S. F. Neave, who retire by ballot; also for one Auditor in place of Mr. A. H. Humphreys, who retires by effluxion of time. Mr. N. T. Simpson has been duly appointed Returning Officer.

For councillors — H. F. Bates, 16; W. Buick, 0; R. Clark, 40 (elected): J. H. Davis, 41 (elected); T. Lyall, 2; W. Lyall, 27; T. Lashmar 19; J. McArthur, 1; C. McKinley, 15; S. F. Neave, 40 (elected); W. V. Simpson, 14; H. Waller, 0; informal, 1. For auditor— E. S. Bates, 16; W. Buick, 40 (elected); T. Lyall, 2; H. Neave, 16; informal, 2.

1903. Nominations called for three councillors in place of Mr. C. D. Willson and Mr. J. Trethewey, who retire by rotation, and Mr. R. Clark, wlio retires by lot; also for one Auditor in place of Mr. Thomas Willson, who retires by effluxion of time. Advertising (1903, May 30).

1904. Nominations called for three councillors in place of Mr. J. H. Davies and Mr. S. F. Neave, who retire by rotation, and Mr. H. Clark, who retires by lot; also for two auditors , in place of Mr. Wm. Buick, who retires by effluxion of time, and Mr. Arthur Hirst, who retires by resignation.

1907. For Councillors W. Howard, 51 (elected), T. Willson, 44 (elected), J. Davies 40, (elected), E. S. Bates, jun., 36, C. D. Willson, 3?. For Auditor—L. E. Clarke, 58 (elected).

1908. Councillors—Robert Clark, Robert Johnston, Harry Lashmar. Auditor—Edward L, Bates, A. W. Miller.

1909. The councillors elected are Messrs Mart Willson, James Davies and Wm. Howard, while Mr J. Melvelle is the successful candidate for the vacant office of auditor.

1911. Messrs Martin Willson, S. Neave, and E. S. Bates being elected as councillors.

1912. From Penneshaw we have received news that there are three nominations for the office of councillor, two being required. The candidates are Messrs William Buick, W. H. Davey and F. W. N. Trethewey. Not being well acquainted with the candidates personally, or their previous record as councillors, if any, we are unable to enlarge on their respective merits and suitability for the office. [sic] [This statement indicates how Kingscote-centric the K.I. Courier must have been!] " It is not expected to be a very exciting day on Saturday next." The candidates for the auditorship are three in number, viz, Messrs E. L. Bates, E. V. Buick and H. V. Buick.

1913. For Councillor: Messrs W. H. Davey 79, Martin Willson, 76, J. H. Davies 64, D. Willson 32, E. S. Bates 31. For Auditor : Mr E. C. Trethewey 95, Mr A. Marshall 20.

1916. The Dudley Council elections (two wanted) resulted as follows : — L. E. Clark 58, Robert Clark 37, S. F. Neave 35. Mr G. D. Willson was elected auditor unopposed.

:

1920-25 William Henry Davey Chairman

1927. For Councillors (3)—Ephraim S. Bates, James H. Davies, Samuel F. Neave (elected). Auditor—Joseph Marsh Grimshaw (elected).

1928. nominated are Messrs Chas. W. Hughes and M. F. Wiilson, the retiring councillors and Mr A.W. Swanson. Mr E. L Bates was elected unopposed for the position of auditor.

1929. Messrs E. S. Bates 65; D. F. W. Buick 48; H. P. Murray 46, were elected. The other candidates being Messrs R. A. Howard 42 votes, J. H. Davies 29, and R. F. H. [Ronald Ferguson Henshaw] Jackson 26. Plumpers, E. S Bates 4 ; H. P. Murray 3.

1930. Returning Officer of the Dudley District Council (Mr S. F. Neave) received three nominations for the two vacant seats, and an election will be held on Saturday July 5th. The candidates are: Messrs. R. F. H. [Ronald Ferguson Henshaw] Jackson (retiring Councillor), W. J. Davies, and F. W. Neave.

1931. Five candidates were nominated, for three vacancies, and close contest resulted as follows: —Dave Buick, 49; H. P. Murray. 49: C. W. Hughes, 43; E. S. Bates. 47; R. H. Jackson, 39.

1933. Mr C. Lierich who polled 62 votes. Cr. D. F. W. Buick 40 votes and G. E. Wilson 38 votes were elected Councillors. Messrs O. Willson 26 votes, and F. W. Neave 23 votes were the other candidates.

1936. W. Buick 59 ; E. S. Bates 38, elected, and D. Willson 36.

1937. There were four candidates for three vacancies. Mr M. F. Willson was elected top of the poll with 62 votes, Cr F. W. Neave 46 votes and Mr J. H. Davies 42 votes were tbe other two successful candidates, Mr T. O Willson polled 27 votes, 71 ratepayers voted.

1938. Successful candidates were W. Buick and E. L. Bates.

At the meeting of the Dudley District Council held on Monday last, Mr H. P. Murray was appointed District Clerk.

1939. Successful candidates:— Ralph Neave, 49 votes; Danford Willson, 47; William Lyall, 43.

1941. L P. Trethewey, 61; T. O. Willson 45; E. D. Davies 36 (elected); D. V. W Buick 29.

1944. The two retiring Councillors Messrs T. P. Lashmar and D. Willson did not re-nominate and the two new members of the Council are Messrs R. A. Howard and W. R. Willson.

1946. The two retiring Councillors Messrs R. A. Howard and W. R. Willson did not nominate again for a further term, and as only two nominations (Messrs T. O. Willson; and E. L. White) were received, the Returning Officer, (Mr H. P. Murray) declared them elected.

1947. For Councillors (three required). — R. N. Neave, 71; L. J. Clark, 66; L. D. Buick, 60; W. R. Willson, 44; E. L. Bates, 41. Extraordinary vacancy (one required) — V. R. Willson. 43; H. S. Mansell, 28; A. V. Willson, 28.