Second Leake ministry facts for kids
The Second Leake Ministry was like a special team of leaders for the government of Western Australia. It was led by a person called the Premier, who was George Leake. He used to be the leader of the group that was against the government, called the Leader of the Opposition.
This team, or "Ministry," started on December 23, 1901. It took over after another team, the Morgans Ministry, had some problems. There were special elections to confirm the members of the Morgans Ministry, but half of them lost their positions to candidates from the Opposition and Labour groups.
Sadly, George Leake passed away unexpectedly on June 24, 1902, when he was only 45 years old. About a week later, Walter James was chosen to take his place. A new team, called the James Ministry, then officially started on July 1, 1902.
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What Was the Second Leake Ministry?
A "Ministry" in government is like a special team of people chosen to run different parts of a country or state. Each person in the team, called a "Minister," is in charge of a specific area, like roads, schools, or money. The leader of this team is usually called the Premier.
How Did This Government Start?
Before the Second Leake Ministry, there was another government team led by someone else. When that team faced problems and lost support in special elections, George Leake and his group got the chance to form a new government. This is how the Second Leake Ministry began its work.
Who Were the Key Players?
The Second Leake Ministry had several important people, each with a big job to do for Western Australia.
The Premier: George Leake
George Leake was the leader of this government team. He was the Premier. He was also the Attorney-General, which means he was the main legal advisor to the government. He helped make sure laws were fair and followed correctly.
Other Important Ministers
- Frederick Illingworth was the Colonial Treasurer. This means he was in charge of all the government's money, like a chief financial officer. He was also the Colonial Secretary, handling many important government papers and communications.
- Walter Kingsmill was the Commissioner of Railways. He looked after the trains and railway system, making sure people and goods could travel easily.
- Hector Rason was the Minister for Works. He was responsible for building and maintaining important things like roads, bridges, and public buildings.
- Henry Gregory was the Minister for Mines. He oversaw the mining industry, which was very important for Western Australia's economy at the time.
- Adam Jameson was the Minister for Lands. He managed how land was used and developed across the state.
- Joseph Holmes and Ephraim Clarke were "Ministers without portfolio." This means they were part of the team and helped with general government work, but they didn't have one specific department to run.
How Did the Ministry End?
The Second Leake Ministry was quite short-lived. Premier George Leake sadly passed away while he was still in office on June 24, 1902. After his death, the government needed a new leader. Walter James was chosen to become the new Premier, and he formed his own government team, the James Ministry, which started on July 1, 1902.
