Josceline Amherst

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Josceline George Herbert Amherst (7 June 1846–1 February 1900) was a member of Western Australia's first Legislative Council under responsible government.

Josceline Amherst was born in Canterbury, Kent, England on 7 June 1846, the fifth son of William Pitt Amherst, 2nd Earl Amherst. He was educated at Eton, then matriculated to Christ Church, Oxford but did not graduate. He later became a barrister of the Inner Temple.

From 1881 to 1883, Amherst was private secretary to Sir William Des Vœux, Governor of Fiji. In June 1885, he emigrated to Western Australia, where he took up an appointment as private secretary to Governor Frederick Broome and Clerk to the Executive Council, which positions he held until 1887. He then returned to London for a brief period, arriving back in Western Australia in March 1888. He then established himself on his Holmesdale property at Darlington. On 24 December 1900, he was nominated by the governor to Western Australia's first Legislative Council under responsible government. He remained on the Council until June 1894, when it became elective.

In 1897 Amherst went into partnership with a Dr A. R. Waylen, establishing a vineyard at Smith's Mill. He later became President of the Swan Vine and Fruit Growers Association. In 1897 he also became a director of the WA Mortgage and Agency Company. For a time he was also President of the Royal Agricultural Society in Western Australia. He died at Darlington on 1 February 1900. He was unmarried.

[edit] References

• Black, David and Bolton, Geoffrey (2001). Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Volume One, 1870–1930, Revised Edition, Parliament House: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0730738140. 

Persondata
NAME	Amherst, Josceline George Herbert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	politician
DATE OF BIRTH	7 June 1846
PLACE OF BIRTH	Canterbury, Kent, England
DATE OF DEATH	1 February 1900
PLACE OF DEATH	Darlington, Western Australia