Mr George Daniel CLARK (1848 - 1933)**

Parliamentary Service

Position Start End Period Notes Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly 17 Jun 1891 25 Jun 1894 3yr(s) 9day(s) Member for Balmain 17 Jun 1891 25 Jun 1894 3yr(s) 9day(s) 15th (1891 - 1894) Mort’s Dock and Engineering Company (Limited) Enabling Bill Committee No.11 11 Aug 1891 25 Aug 1891 15days 15th (1891 - 1894) Mr Charles Brady’s Services in connection with Sericulture Committee No.28 21 Dec 1891 31 Mar 1892 3mths 11days 15th (1891 - 1894) William Stafford, ex Mounted Sergeant of Police Committee No.23 12 Apr 1893 12 May 1893 1mth 1day 15th (1891 - 1894) Corowa School of Arts Enabling Bill Committee No.9 24 Oct 1893 8 Dec 1893 1mth 15days 15th (1891 - 1894) Mr Walsh’s Contract for Construction of Cooper’s Creek Bridge Committee No.11 21 Nov 1893 8 Dec 1893 18days 15th (1891 - 1894) Operation of the Shipping Laws Committee No.6 23 Jan 1894 5 Jun 1894 4mths 14days 16th (1894 - 1895) Homestead Protection Bill Committee No.12 3 Apr 1894 18 Apr 1894 16days 16th (1894 - 1895) Case of Staff Sergeant W.Jiffkins Committee No.13 24 Apr 1894 9 May 1894 16days 16th (1894 - 1895) Case of Staff Sergeant W.Jiffkins Committee No.13 24 Apr 1894 9 May 1894 16days 16th (1894 - 1895) Chairman

Political Party Activity

He stood as Labor in 1891 but after refusing the pledge stood for Freetrade. He was defeated as a Freetrader in 1894 and rejoined Labor. He was an unsuccesful candidate for the Legislative Assembly in 1898, 1901, 1904 and 1907.

Community Activity

Joined the International Order of Good Templars around 1873 and held high office in the New South Wales Grand Lodge in 1925 - 1932. Was a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites and Local Option League in 1887; and was a member of the executive of the New South Wales Alliance for the Suppression of Intemperance. Was a Methodist lay preacher and member of the Methodist Conference's social questions committee. Was author of 'Good Templar Movement, its history and work', in 1928.

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Financial problems limited his schooling. First worked on ships, arriving in Australia around 1871. Was employed on the Australasian Steam Navigation Company's ships. He settled in Sydney, after his marriage, and became a messenger at the Sydney Observatory. From 1883 to 1917, he edited the New South Wales Good Templar, which was renamed Australian Temperance World in 1896. He also wrote extensively for the Labour press and was a foundation member of the New South Wales Institute of Journalists. He was a journalist when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly.

Personal

Son of Daniel, a labourer, and Mary Ann Clark. Married Rosannah Jane Druce on 27 August 1875 at Woolloomooloo and had issue, 4 sons and 1 daughter. Methodist.

Additional Information

References: Australian Dictionary of Biography, volume eight; Members of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales 1856-1901

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