Hon Henry Strangways

Henry Bull Templar Strangways

Pre-Party System

Former Member

West Torrens

House of Assembly

15 January 1858

Born circa 1832
An English born and trained lawyer, Henry Strangways came to South Australia in 1857. In addition to working as a solicitor, he was elected in 1858 to the Lower House as the member for Encounter Bay. Throughout the 1860's he held a number of important ministerial positions including Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration under the Premierships of Waterhouse, Dutton, and Ayers. In October 1868 with the defeat of Ayers' third ministry, Strangways formed a ministry of his own and became Premier. As Premier, he played a vital role in planning for the introduction of railways and the overland telegraph to South Australia - both important to the future development of the state. He is best known, however, for his success in passing his Wastelands Bill (later referred to as the Strangways Act) during 1868-69. The Act, an initially controversial one, made it much easier for small farmers to select and purchase land previously unused by colonists. It was instrumental in bringing about the steady increase in wheat production that occurred over the next decade. Strangways was unable to form a workable government following the elections of 1870 and was forced to resign as Premier. He subsequently returned to England where he continued to take an interest in colonial matters before his death in 1920.

10 February 1920