John Beveridge (mayor)

John Beveridge JP
Mayor of Redfern
In office 12 February 1891 – 29 May 1891
Preceded by	Thomas Clarke
Succeeded by	George Howe
Alderman on the Redfern Municipal Council
In office 20 September 1886 – 29 May 1891
Preceded by	Francis Augustus Wright
Constituency	Belmore Ward
Personal details
Born	8 August 1848 Windsor, Colony of New South Wales
Died	15 March 1916 (aged 67) Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Free Trade Party
Spouse(s)	Priscilla Wright (1853–1929)
Occupation	Merchant and businessman
Religion	Presbyterian

John Beveridge, JP (8 August 1848 – 15 March 1916) was a New South Wales businessman, sportsman and local government politician, who served as an Alderman (1886–1891) and Mayor of Redfern (1891).

Early life and background

Beveridge was born 8 August 1848 in the town of Windsor, Colony of New South Wales. He was the son of John Beveridge, a baker and confectioner, and Jane Greig, who as assisted migrants had emigrated from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, to Sydney on 16 January 1839. At the age of 19, Beveridge entered the mercantile firm of George Griffiths and Co. in 1867 and on 8 August 1871 he married Priscilla Wright, the Anglo-Irish daughter of teacher and later Principal of the Fort Street Training School John Wright (1822–1887),^[1] at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sydney, by the Rev. Robert Lewers.^[2][3] Beveridge and his wife Priscilla had seven chidren: John Stuart (1872–1874),^[4] Percy (1875–1947), Mabel (1878–1955), Harry (1882–1943), Violet (1886–1975), Cecil (1888–1946)^[5] and Roy Stuart (1893–1916). In 1880 he was made a partner in the firm, and on the retirement of Griffiths became the owner, which specialised in "wholesale grocery and general merchandise" from its premises on the corner of Bridge and Young streets, Sydney.^[3]

A prominent member of the flourishing business community in Sydney and Redfern, Beveridge became involved as a member of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Mortgage, Guarantee and Mercantile Finance Corporation of New South Wales, the Sydney Real Estate Bank and the Australian Traders' Fire Insurance Company.^[3] Beveridge also became a member of the Redfern Branch of the Free Trade Association.^[6] A keen sportsman, Beveridge was a member of the Cricket Union (vice-president in 1889) and was instrumental in the development of the Surry United Cricket Club, being captain from 1879 (now the Surry Hills Cricket Club).^[3]

Public service

As a free trader Beveridge eventually stood for office and became an alderman unopposed on Redfern Municipal Council for Belmore Ward on 20 September 1886, filling a vacancy created by the departure of Alderman Francis Augustus Wright, and was re-elected in February 1888.^[7][8] As a prominent free trader in the area, in September 1888 Beveridge presided over a meeting at Redfern Town Hall to support the ultimately-unsuccessful candidacy of free trader John Martin for a by-election to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Redfern, the meeting was attended by Sir Henry Parkes who also spoke in support.^[9]

Beveridge strongly aligned himself with the politics of Parkes and later stood himself for the seat of Redfern as a Free Trade candidate at the 1889 colonial election, but was unsuccessful, missing out by a margin of over 100 votes and despite the overall success of the Free Trade movement at that election, with Parkes forming government.^[10][11][12] On 12 February 1891 Beveridge was elected to be Mayor of the council and was instrumental in making Redfern the first suburb in Sydney to have electricity and electric street lighting, which occurred when the Council voted unanimously in 1891, following the recommendations of the improvements committee, to build its own power station, in Turner Street, to power the suburb.^[13][14] This movement by the council was later affirmed and protected by the Parliament of New South Wales when it passed the Borough of Redfern Electric Lighting Act 1895.^[15]

However, by May 1891 Beveridge had resigned as mayor and an alderman for Redfern prior to his candidacy for the 1891 election.^[16] Beveridge stood again as a Free Trade candidate for Redfern, reaffirming his support for the Free Trade vision for Australian Federation and noting that overall wages in New South Wales were higher compared to Victoria and taxation was lower owing to the Free Trade system in NSW, a system "that is best for the commercial interests of the colony."^[17] Beveridge was however again unsuccessful at the June election which saw the Free Traders lose out to the Labor Party and the Protectionists.^[18]

Later life

Following this defeat, Beveridge returned to business, taking up a high-ranking position in the Sydney office of the New York Life Insurance Company.^[19] Beveridge nevertheless retained his keen interest in the Free Trade movement and in politics generally, including presiding over the election committee for John Neild's unsuccessful bid for the seat of Woollahra at the 1894 election (he lost to Adrian Knox, standing as an 'Independent Free Trade' candidate).^[20] George Reid's Free traders were successful at that election and Beveridge, in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, noted: "the vote of last Tuesday must inspire every thinking man in the community with the idea that the people are ripe for the establishment of a progressive policy, and I believe Mr Reid is the man for the hour."^[21]

Lithgow

By 1896, Beveridge had opened his own retail business in the rural and mining town of Lithgow and involved himself in various community activities, including in cricket. Reporting on his attendance at a Lithgow reception for Premier Reid in May 1896, the Windsor and Richmond Gazette noted: "no doubt, ere long Mr. [Beveridge] will take a leading part in matters connected with the welfare of the town, for he is too good a man to be allowed to stay long in clover. His ability is already recognised in his new home, and a matter of a few months will decide whether he enters the Municipal arena or not. If he does, Lithgow will be the gainer."^[22] In early 1896 Beveridge nominated to take up a vacancy on Lithgow Ward on Lithgow Municipal Council, but received only 6 votes.^[23] The next year he stood again for Lithgow Ward but lost by one vote.^[24] Beveridge became heavily involved in local cricket circles, donating the "Beveridge Cup" for district matches, and becoming President of the Lithgow District Cricket Association in 1899; the patron of the association that year was prominent local politician Joseph Cook.^[25]

A supporter of Australian Federation, Beveridge was nominated to attend the People's Federal Convention at Bathurst in November 1896, which had convened to discuss the 1891 draft Constitution being proposed for the Commonwealth of Australia.^[26] The most important recommendation made by the convention was that the Senate should be directly-elected. In December 1897, Beveridge established the Lithgow Land, Building, and Investment Company and became a company director.^[27] As a longstanding Justice of the Peace, in January 1899 Beveridge was appointed Coroner for Lithgow and for the colony at large.^[28]

Hay

By 1901, Beveridge had moved again to the Riverina town of Hay, and opened his own general merchandise store, "Beveridge & Co.", in the town.^[29] It was not long before Beveridge again returned to Cricketing circles, gaining much respect in the Hay Cricket Association, later serving as vice-president, and rising to be President of the Hay Chamber of Commerce in 1901.^[30] In February 1901, Beveridge was elected as Honorary Secretary at the inaugural meeting of the Hay Free Trade Association and later assisting in the campaign of Free Trade candidate James Ashton for the seat of Riverina at the first federal election a month later.^[31][32] In May 1902 Beveridge departed Hay for a visit to London for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.^[33][34]

Return to Sydney

After moving back to Sydney with his family, in later years he served as the general manager of the Merchants' and Traders' Employment Bureau, which his brother Peter had purchased in July 1908.^[35] The Bureau's offices were sited within the New York Mutual Life Building at 14 Martin Place, Sydney.^[36] Beveridge moved with his family to a new residence, "Violet" in Balfour Road, Kensington, but in later years his health suffered greatly owing to "acute heart trouble", which led to his death aged 67 on 15 March 1916.^[37][38] His youngest son Lance sergeant Roy Stuart Beveridge (20th Battalion) was later killed in action following the Battle of Flers in France on 12 November 1916.^[39][40] His eldest son Percy Beveridge became a notable cricketer in New Zealand, while his son Cecil became an actor and theatre director and, also of the 20th Battalion, was injured during the Battle of Pozières in 1916.^[41][42] He is interred with his wife (d. 1929) and his third son, Harry (d. 1943, who was a branch manager for the Commonwealth Bank) at Waverley Cemetery.

Notes

1. "Family Notices.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 24 May 1887. p. 1. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
2. "Family Notices.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 14 August 1871. p. 1. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
3. "Leaders in Our Mercantile World.". Illustrated Sydney News (National Library of Australia). 22 August 1889. p. 10. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
4. "Family Notices.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 20 November 1874. p. 8. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
5. "Family Notices.". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 22 June 1946. p. 20. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
6. "MEETINGS.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 24 September 1888. p. 5. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
7. "Advertising.". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: National Library of Australia). 21 September 1886. p. 14. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
8. "THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 8 February 1888. p. 7. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
9. "REDFERN ELECTION. ADDRESS BY MR. J. A. MARTIN.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 5 September 1888. p. 12. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
10. Green, Antony. "NSW Elections – Redfern 1889". NSW Elections Index. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
11. "THE REDFERN ELECTORATE.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 30 January 1889. p. 6. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
12. "THE ELECTIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.". Adelaide Observer (SA: National Library of Australia). 9 February 1889. p. 37. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
13. "REDFERN.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 18 February 1891. p. 4. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
14. "A Redfern Loan.". The Evening News (Sydney: National Library of Australia). 24 April 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
15. "Borough of Redfern Electric Lighting Act 1895" (PDF). austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
16. "Resignation of the Mayor of Redfern.". The Evening News (Sydney: National Library of Australia). 30 May 1891. p. 6. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
17. "REDFERN. THE FREETRADE BUNCH.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 17 June 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
18. Green, Antony. "NSW Elections – Redfern 1891". NSW Elections Index. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
19. "News in Brief.". Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW: National Library of Australia). 13 October 1894. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
20. "WOOLLAHRA ELECTORATE.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 6 June 1894. p. 8. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
21. "THE NEXT PARLIAMENT.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 24 July 1894. p. 6. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
22. "TOPICS OF THE DAY.". Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW: National Library of Australia). 23 May 1896. p. 1. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
23. "MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: National Library of Australia). 10 February 1896. p. 5. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
24. "MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.". Evening News (Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia). 8 February 1897. p. 5. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
25. "Country Clubs.". Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia). 9 September 1899. p. 52. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
26. "People's Federal Convention.". National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954) (Bathurst, NSW: National Library of Australia). 18 November 1896. p. 5. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
27. "LITHGOW ITEMS.". Evening News (Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia). 7 December 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
28. "GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 25 January 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
29. "Advertising". The Riverine Grazier (3452) (New South Wales, Australia). 16 May 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
30. "Hay Chamber of Commerce.". Riverina Times, Hay Standard And Journal Of Water Conservation (New South Wales, Australia). 10 October 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
31. "FREETRADE.". The Riverine Grazier (3340) (New South Wales, Australia). 22 February 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
32. "THE FEDERAL ELECTION.". The Riverine Grazier (3349) (New South Wales, Australia). 29 March 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
33. "FROM WEEK TO WEEK.". Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW: National Library of Australia). 10 May 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
34. "WISHING MR J. BEVERIDGE BON VOYAGE.". Riverina Times, Hay Standard And Journal Of Water Conservation (New South Wales, Australia). 10 March 1902. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
35. "FROM WEEK TO WEEK.". Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW: National Library of Australia). 25 July 1908. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
36. "Sands Sydney, Suburban and Country Commercial Directory" (PDF). City of Sydney. 1913. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
37. "Family Notices.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 17 March 1916. p. 8. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
38. "DEATH OF MR. JOHN BEVERIDGE.". The Referee (Sydney: National Library of Australia). 22 March 1916. p. 12. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
39. "WAR CASUALTIES.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 15 December 1916. p. 7. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
40. The battlefield conditions were so muddy that they were described by the official historian, Charles Bean, as "the worst ever encountered by the AIF"."20th Battalion". First World War, 1914–1918 units. Australian War Memorial.
41. "PERSONAL.". The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia). 17 August 1916. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
42. Cecil Beveridge was injured later in September and was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One before receiving a medical discharge on 21 March 1920, he later worked for Hoyts Cinemas. NAA: B2455, BEVERIDGE C