Mr Robert PYERS (1847 - 1915)**

Date of Birth: 01/08/1847 Place of Birth: Seaham, New South Wales, Australia Date of Death: 19/10/1915 Place of Death: Casino, New South Wales, Australia

Parliamentary Service

Position Start End Period Notes Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly 17 Jul 1894 16 Jul 1904 9yr(s) 11mth(s) 30day(s) Member for Richmond 17 Jul 1894 5 Jul 1895 11mth(s) 19day(s) 16th (1894 - 1895) Member for Richmond 24 Jul 1895 8 Jul 1898 2yr(s) 11mth(s) 15day(s) 17th (1895 - 1898) Member for Richmond 27 Jul 1898 11 Jun 1901 2yr(s) 10mth(s) 16day(s) 18th (1898 - 1901) Member for Richmond 3 Jul 1901 16 Jul 1904 3yr(s) 14day(s) 19th (1901 - 1904) Claim of Mr Sherlock Barron, North Botany Committee No.10 15 Aug 1890 23 Nov 1899 9yrs 3mths 9days 18th (1898 - 1901) Conditional Purchase made by George Vincent, in the District of Gundagai. Committee No. 17 19 Apr 1895 5 Jul 1895 2mths 17days 16th (1894 - 1895) Claim of John Brennan against Roads Department Committee No.27 22 Sep 1896 16 Nov 1896 1mth 26days 17th (1895 - 1898) Chairman Nyngan Town Hall (Mortgage) Bill Committee No. 22 17 Nov 1897 10 Dec 1897 24days 17th (1895 - 1898) Claim of John Brennan against Roads Department Committee No. 14 11 Oct 1898 23 Dec 1898 2mths 13days 18th (1898 - 1901) Lismore Municipal Boundaries Bill Committee No.12 19 Oct 1899 24 Oct 1899 6days 18th (1898 - 1901) Claim of James and Patrick Guihan of Kangaroo Valley Committee No.19 21 Nov 1899 30 Nov 1899 10days 18th (1898 - 1901) Municipal District of Inverell Reduced Area Bill Committee No.13 24 Jul 1900 18 Oct 1900 2mths 25days 18th (1898 - 1901) Claims of Contractors, Mosman and Middle Harbour Sewerage Committee No.11 11 Sep 1901 23 Oct 1901 1mth 13days 19th (1901 - 1904) Inverell Gas, Coke, Coal, and Electric Lighting Company (Limited) Bill Committee No.15 17 Dec 1901 18 Dec 1901 2days 19th (1901 - 1904)

Political Party Activity

Protectionist; Independent.

Community Activity

Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace in 1885

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Country entrepreneur. Was a butcher, carrier between Maitland and Glen Innes, dealer in horses and bullocks. Moved to Clarence River district c.1870 as a timber getter; successful in gold rushes at Solferino and Lionsville in 1872 and acquired a store. Became bankrupt in 1873 owing to mining speculations and decline of field. Discharged in 1875. Moved to Tatham near Coraki on Richmond in 1880, principally engaged in cutting and hauling iron bark girders and piles, with 30 timber workers on his payroll in 1882; Purchased, built and chartered steamers. Built township at Irvington in 1884 with store, cottages and Wesleyan Church. Became bankrupt in 1887. Moved to Casino becoming a successful auctioneer, passing business over to sons when in the Legislative Assembly. Started boiling down works in Casino and owned selections in Queensland where he fattened cattle for the Sydney market. Valuer for Tomki Shire Council. Opposed Federation.

Local Government Activity

Alderman at Casino from 1884 until 1894.

Personal

Son of Abel Pyers, butcher and Margaret McDermott. Married Clara Taylor in 1869 and they had 5 sons and 5 daughters. Methodist.

Additional Information

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