Mayor of Macdonald Town 1880

[iwccc]

Hello, I am looking for information of Joseph Horsfall who was an alderman and in 1880's Mayor of MacDonald Town (Sydney).  Would there be anyone with information on this Council and maybe even a photograph?  Thank you

[majm]

The Municipality of Macdonaldtown was incorporated in 1872, and divided into three wards (North, Middle, South).

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipality_of_Erskineville

Joseph HORSFALL listed as Mayor :
7 Feb 1880 – 15 Feb 1882
14 Feb 1883 – 15 Feb 1884

June 1885 NSW Government Gazette has probate announcement for Joseph HORSFALL, wool-broker formerly of Macdonaldtown, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221695426

JM

[iwccc]

Thank you majm,  I appreciate the links you posted and information you have shared.
Would you know how I can find out what Party Joseph may have represented or whether he was an independent etc. Or, for that matter did Parties exist at this time (i.e. 1880's).  Thanks again

[majm]

Hi there,

Trove digitised newspapers would be a good place to check for electoral campaigns from any of the candidates standing for any municipal council in NSW in the second half of the 19th Century.   I am fairly sure that 'political parties' in the 20th century were not active in municipal elections of that earlier era.   The Trade Union movement is generally credited with the development of a political wing that became the Labour party in the 1890s.   

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111030039  28 July 1883 Evening News
Borough council meetings
That cutting shows several councils meetings, reported as though the reporter has the Minutes for each of those councils.   You will notice, for example, that Macdonaldtown's council meeting had obviously voted on each letter, and on ONE of those letters, the council had obviously resolved 'not to receive' that letter (a Mr Balwin, wanting £1 for repair to a pipe).... 
I doubt that the Aldermen were elected to represent a particular political party, rather I suggest the Aldermen were elected to volunteer to serve on a committee (council) to determine what the council's employees priorities in the borough/municipality.

From City of Sydney's freely available Sands Directories ...
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/search-our-collections/sands-directory which leads to
http://cdn.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/archives/sands/1880-1889/1884-part3.pdf pg 222

1884
Macdonald Town
Bounded on the north by railway line, on the east by drain from railway to Mitchell's road, on the south by Alexandra road and Cook's River road and on the west by Union street.
Number of houses 885
Number of ratepayers 922
Mayor : Joseph HORSFALL
Aldermen:  W D Moore IRWIN,  George Henry WRIGHT,  John Frederick FALLICK, George IVES, Charles W BLOOMFIELD
Treasurer: George Henry WRIGHT
Council Clerk: W Osborne HARMAN
Inspector of Nuisances: W WHITEWAY
Foreman of Works:  J PICKERELL
Auditors: A W E BASSAN,  Henry Fraser
Council Chambers - Erskineville Road
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm.

JM

[judb]

There is an advertisement on TROVE, showing the names of candidates for election to Macdonaldtown Municipal Council in 1873, one of whom is Joseph HORSFALL, wool dealer, Erskineville Rd, an elector of the district.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13319504

I agree with JM -  it's my understanding that local government candidates were not necessarily allied with a particular political party - many standing for election in a similar way to current independents.

This article announces the names of those who have been elected, including Joseph.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107171402

Judith

[majm]

Macdonaldtown municipality was 0.8 square kilometres

https://dictionaryofsydney.org/media/3915

I wonder if the Archivist at the City of Sydney may be able to help with photo or similar for iwccc?

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/archives  email address under 'Contacts' heading.   

JM