Guide to the Papers of Sir William F. D. Jervois (as filmed by the AJCP), 04 October 1877-22 January 1878
Filter Online content
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Collection number:
- M1185
- Creator:
- Jervois, William, Sir
- Extent:
- 7 items
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Citation items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
- Availability:
- Available
- Access conditions:
- Available for reference.
Background
- Content Summary:
- Papers concerning the political crisis in South Australia in October 1877 when the Colton Ministry was defeated in the Legislative Assembly by a no-confidence motion. They include a minute of Cabinet and Jervois' reply and notes by J.P. Boucaut on the formation of a new Ministry.
- Biographical / Historical:
-
Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois (1821-1897) was born at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and educated at Dr Burney's Academy near Gosport and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1839. He was posted to the Cape of Good Hope in 1841, where he began the first survey of British Kaffirland. He subsequently held a number of posts, including commanding royal engineer for the London district (1855-56), assistant inspector-general of fortifications at the War Office (1856-62) and secretary to the defence committee (1859-75). He was made a colonel in 1867 and knighted in 1874.
In 1875 Jervois was sent to Singapore as governor of the Straits Settlements. He antagonised the Colonial Office by pursuing an interventionist policy in the Malayan mainland, crushing a revolt in Perak with troops brought from India and Hong Kong. He was ordered to back down and the annexation of Perak was forbidden. He compiled a report on the defences of Singapore.
In 1877, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Scratchley, Jervois carried out a survey of the defences of Australia and New Zealand. In the same year he was promoted major-general and appointed governor of South Australia. He immediately faced a political crisis, following the resignation of the Colton Ministry. There was pressure on Jervois to dissolve Parliament, but he appointed James Boucaut as premier and there were no further troubles. His term was marked by economic prosperity and several beginnings: the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Art Gallery, the first tramway, and the building of the new Parliament House.
In 1882 Jervois retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant-general. From 1882 to 1889 was governor of New Zealand, where he carried out further work on harbour defences. He occasionally clashed with ministers and his advocacy of Chinese migration to New Zealand and Australia aroused opposition. Nevertheless, he was a popular governor, travelling extensively and promoting cultural, scientific and sporting organisations.
In 1893 Jervois was appointed colonel-commandant of the Royal Engineers.
Access and use
- Conditions Governing Access:
- Available for Access.
- Conditions Governing Use:
- Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.
- Preferred citation:
-
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Citation items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
- Location of this collection:
-
Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: