GEORGE, W.J. AND SMITH, WILLIAM
B/W prints. (a) W J George with dark hair and large moustache in front of a patterned window, seated sideways with his arm over the back of a chair. He has a dark frock coat with satin lapels and dark trousers white shirt and dark tie.(b) W J George in dark suit; white shirt and dark tie. He has a watch chain with two medallions one of which is the Jubilee Medal of the Perth City Council 1837 - 1897.He is sitting on a decorated stool. Sitting on a chair beside Mr George is William Smith, grey hair and large grey moustache. He is in dark suit white shirt and white tie.
William James George. Born 26/01/1853 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. Died 10/03/1931. Studied mechanical engineering at the Midland Institute in Birmingham. Came to Australia in 1885, and worked in Victoria and Tasmania until moving to Western Australia in 1890. Managed Jarrahdale timber station for four years before going into partnership and founding the Black Swan Foundry (he was later to own four foundries, including the Black Swan). Elected to Perth City Council in 1894 and the following year entered state parliament as the member for Murray-Wellington. In 1902 became the Commissioner for Railways and remained at that post for five years. Returned to parliament as the member for Murray in 1909. He was the first president of the Chamber of Manufacturers and in 1895 was made a Justice of the Peace initially for the Perth and Murray districts, but in 1902 for the whole state. Appointed minister for Works in the Wilson Government of 1916, later became the Minister for Water Supply until the accession of the 1921 Collier Labour government. Given the honour of Commander of St. Michael and St. George in 1921. He was Minister of Public Works, Water Supply Drainage, and Trading Concerns in the Mitchell Government until its defeat in 1924.
