Walter Barnes (politician)

The Hon
Walter Barnes
23rd Treasurer of Queensland
In office
7 February 1911  1 June 1915
Preceded by Arthur Hawthorn
Succeeded by Ted Theodore
Constituency Bulimba
In office
21 May 1929  17 June 1932
Preceded by William McCormack
Succeeded by William Forgan Smith
Constituency Wynnum
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Bulimba
In office
23 February 1901  22 May 1915
Preceded by James Dickson
Succeeded by Hugh McMinn
In office
16 March 1918  12 May 1923
Preceded by Hugh McMinn
Succeeded by Albert Wright
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Wynnum
In office
11 May 1923  19 February 1933
Preceded by New seat
Succeeded by James Bayley
Personal details
Born 7 September 1858
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Died 19 February 1933 (aged 74)
Brisbane, Queensland
Resting place South Brisbane Cemetery
Political party Ministerialist
Other political
affiliations
Country and Progressive National Party, Nationalist
Spouse(s) Katherine Florence Edmonds
Relations George Powell Barnes (brother), Hiram Barnes (father)
Occupation Managing Director
Religion Methodist, Presbyterian

Walter Henry Barnes (7 September 1858 19 February 1933) was a longtime member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early Years

Barnes was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, a son of Hiram Barnes, who took his family to Queensland when he was six years old.

He gained employment in the saddler business, then worked as a driver for Cobb and Co. coaches. He next worked for the Post Office, then in 1884 joined his brother's firm of Barnes and Co. Ltd., produce and general merchants. He held the position of manager of the Roma Street business for very many years, and ultimately became managing director of the company.

Politics

For 25 years he was a member of the Coorparoo Shire Council, of which body he was five times Chairman.

He first entered Parliament in 1901 as member for Bulimba, succeeding Sir James R. Dickson, who left State politics for Federal Parliament. With the exception of a break of three years, Barnes represented Bulimba and, later, Wynnum, in the Queensland Legislative Assembly until his death.

His first office was that of Minister for Lands in the short-lived (19 November 1907 18 February 1908) Philp Ministry. Then, in the Kidston coalition Ministry, he served as Minister tor Public Instruction, and had the distinction of piloting the University of Queensland Bill through Parliament. In 1909 Mr. Barnes was allotted the combined portfolios of Public Works and Education, and in 1912 became Treasurer and Minister for Works in the Denham administration, and served as Acting Premier during Denham's absence in Great Britain.

He again served as Treasurer in the Moore Administration.

He was defeated in the contest for Bulimba in 1915, but was again returned at the general election of 1918, and later became the member for Wynnum.

Later life

Memorial to Walter Henry Barnes, Wynnum, 2014
Close-up of memorial

Barnes died at his home in Coorparoo after suffering poor health for several months. He was accorded a State Funeral and buried in South Brisbane Cemetery.[1] A memorial was erected to him on the Wynnum foreshore near the Wynnum Wading Pool.[2]

Family

His brother George Powell Barnes, who founded Barnes and Co., was also in politics, as the member for Warwick.

He was married, and had one son, Cedric Barnes of Brisbane.[3]

References

  1. Barnes Walter Henry Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  2. "Walter Henry Barnes". Monument Australia. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  3. "A NOTABLE CAREER.". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939) (Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 23 February 1933. p. 9. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by
James Dickson
Member for Bulimba
19011915
Succeeded by
Hugh McMinn
Preceded by
Hugh McMinn
Member for Bulimba
19181923
Succeeded by
Albert Wright
New seat Member for Wynnum
19231933
Succeeded by
James Bayley