George Nichols (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
George Nichols was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
between 1848 and 1856. He was also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for one term from 1856 until his death.
's Australian newspaper. He was bankrupted in the financial crisis of 1842 but later returned to his legal practice. Nichols was a member of the Parramatta Regional Council, a trustee of Sydney Grammar School
and a leading Freemason.
, West Maitland
and East Maitland
) until the granting of responsible self-government in 1856. Subsequently, at the first election under the new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the two members for the same seat
and continued to represent the seat until his death in September 1857. Throughout his parliamentary career he was a strong supporter of Wentworth and William Bland
.
.
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
between 1848 and 1856. He was also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
for one term from 1856 until his death.
Early life
Nichols was the son of Issac Nichols a former convict who became a successful Sydney entrepreneur. He was educated in England between 1819 and 1823. On returning to Australia he worked as an articled clerk until he was admitted as a solicitor in 1833. During this period he was also an editor of William WentworthWilliam Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian poet, explorer, journalist and politician, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales...
's Australian newspaper. He was bankrupted in the financial crisis of 1842 but later returned to his legal practice. Nichols was a member of the Parramatta Regional Council, a trustee of Sydney Grammar School
Sydney Grammar School
Sydney Grammar School is an independent, non-denominational, selective, day school for boys, located in Darlinghurst, Edgecliff and St Ives, all suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
and a leading Freemason.
State Parliament
In 1848, prior to the establishment of responsible self-government, Nichols was elected to the semi-elected Legislative Council. He represented the electorate of Northumberland Boroughs (including MorpethMorpeth, New South Wales
Morpeth is a suburb of the City of Maitland Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs...
, West Maitland
Maitland, New South Wales
Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately by road north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle...
and East Maitland
Maitland, New South Wales
Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately by road north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle...
) until the granting of responsible self-government in 1856. Subsequently, at the first election under the new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the two members for the same seat
Electoral district of Northumberland Boroughs
Northumberland Boroughs was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1856 to 1859, including the towns of Morpeth, East Maitland, and West Maitland, and named after Northumberland County...
and continued to represent the seat until his death in September 1857. Throughout his parliamentary career he was a strong supporter of Wentworth and William Bland
William Bland
Dr. William Bland was a transported convict, medical practitioner and surgeon, politician, farmer and inventor in colonial New South Wales, Australia.-Early life:...
.
Government
Nichols was New South Wales' inaugural Auditor General and Secretary for Lands for Works. He held these positions for 81 days in the government of Stuart DonaldsonStuart Donaldson
Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson was the first Premier of the Colony of New South Wales.-Early life:Donaldson was born in London, England. He entered his father's firm at the age of 15 and was sent first to Mexico , for business training, and then to Sydney, where he arrived in 1835...
.