State Government of Tasmania beginning 2 August 1861 - period in office of Premier Chapman, Thomas Daniel ending on 20 January 1863
Period in office of premier (see Glossary entry for 'period in office' and related terms)
Parliamentary support during period
Coalition partner 1
Number of ministers at beginning of period (this may vary during the period)
Assembly elections contested as premier or after which became premier (see Glossary entry for 'after election')
| Election | Premier at election | Premier's party | Premier after election | Premier's party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAS 6 November 1862 | Thomas Daniel Chapman | Support from parliamentary factions and independents | James Whyte | Support from parliamentary factions and independents |
| TAS 29 May 1861 | William Pritchard Weston | Support from parliamentary factions and independents | Thomas Daniel Chapman | Support from parliamentary factions and independents |
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Notes
Resignation of premier (Weston): Beginning of Chapman's period in office: 'Weston's ill health .... caused him to resign and move to Victoria', Newman, p. 13, (see 'References', below). Chapman was appointed Premier immediately after the second general election held in May-June 1861 at which he 'appeared to have good support', Reynolds, p. 130, (see 'References', below).
Loss of election (Chapman): 'Although Chapman appeared to have good support as a result of the second general election ..., the Opposition Leader Charles Meredith succeeded in carrying a non-confidence motion on the Government's financial proposals. However, Meredith apparently could not satisfy the new Governor, Thomas Gore-Brown, that he could form a government. The Governor accepted Chapman's advice and the second Parliament, the shortest in Tasmanian history, was dissolved. In spite of the popularity of Chapman's proposals his supporters were defeated....', Reynolds, p. 130, (see 'References', below).
References: For a description of the style of parliamentary government in this period, see John Reynolds, 'Premiers and Political Leaders', in F C Green (editor), Tasmania: A Century of Responsible Government 1856-1956, pp 115-192, (Hobart: L G Shea, Government Printer, [1956]), and note Terry Newman, Tasmanian Premiers 1856-1988: A Biographical Handbook, (Hobart: Tasmanian Parliamentary Library, [1988]).
For a survey of Chapman's career, see F C Green, 'Chapman, Thomas Daniel (1815 - 1884)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, pp 383-384, (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1969), on line at: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A030361b.htm.
Sources
'Ministries: Names of the Members of Successive Ministries which have held Office in Tasmania since the inauguration of Responsible Government, together with the Dates of Appointment and Retirement', Journal of House of Assembly, Second Session of the Forty-Fifth Parliament of Tasmania, Anno LIII and LV Eliz II; Session 2 of the 45th Parliament, Volume 251, 2004-2006, (Hobart: Government Printer, Tasmania).