Richard Speight
Encyclopedia
Richard Speight was an English-born railway commissioner in Victoria, Australia
. After a career in railway management in England, he accepted the new post of railway commissioner of the Railways Department
of Victoria, in 1883. He was tasked with implementing the Railway Construction Act 1884
, along with fellow commissioners A. J. Agg and R. Ford. This act called for the construction of 59 new railways, which later proved excessive.
Amidst allegations of corruption and mismanagement, Speight and the other commissioners eventually resigned in 1892. Almost immediately, he sued David Syme
, then the powerful editor of The Age
, unsuccessfully for libel.
He relocated to North Perth
, gradually moving to the private sector as director of Jarrahdale Jarrah Forests and Railways. In April 1901 at the state election
, he won the seat of North Perth
in support of the Opposition Leader, George Leake
.
He died on 19 September 1901, survived by eight children.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. After a career in railway management in England, he accepted the new post of railway commissioner of the Railways Department
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations...
of Victoria, in 1883. He was tasked with implementing the Railway Construction Act 1884
Railway Construction Act 1884
The Victorian Government's Act No. 821, Railway Construction Act 1884, authorised the construction of 59 new railway lines. Created by the Minister for Railways, Thomas Bent, and passed on 12 December 1884, it became notorious for the excessive number of inner-city railways it created, and received...
, along with fellow commissioners A. J. Agg and R. Ford. This act called for the construction of 59 new railways, which later proved excessive.
Amidst allegations of corruption and mismanagement, Speight and the other commissioners eventually resigned in 1892. Almost immediately, he sued David Syme
David Syme
David Syme was a Scottish-Australian newspaper proprietor of The Age and regarded as "the father of protection in Australia" who had immense influence in the Government of Victoria.-Early life and family:...
, then the powerful editor of The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
, unsuccessfully for libel.
He relocated to North Perth
Electoral district of North Perth
The Electoral district of North Perth was a Legislative Assembly electorate in the state of Western Australia. The district was named for its location immediately to the north of the central business district of Perth....
, gradually moving to the private sector as director of Jarrahdale Jarrah Forests and Railways. In April 1901 at the state election
Western Australian state election, 1901
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 24 April 1901 to elect 50 members to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly...
, he won the seat of North Perth
Electoral district of North Perth
The Electoral district of North Perth was a Legislative Assembly electorate in the state of Western Australia. The district was named for its location immediately to the north of the central business district of Perth....
in support of the Opposition Leader, George Leake
George Leake
George Leake CMG QC was Premier of Western Australia from 27 May 1901 to 21 November 1901, and again from 23 December 1901 until his death on 24 June 1902.-Early life:...
.
He died on 19 September 1901, survived by eight children.