Alfred Watts (South Australian politician)
Alfred Watts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1815 Unknown |
| Died | 1884-11-29 Unknown |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician, consul |
| Years active | 1837–1875 |
| Known for | Business ventures in import/export and pastoral estates; political service in South Australian Legislative Council and House of Assembly; Consul for Sweden and Norway |
Alfred Watts (1815 – 29 November 1884) was a prominent entrepreneur and political figure in the formative years of South Australia.
Watts arrived in South Australia in October 1837 aboard the Hartley, where he was recorded as Robert Adolphus Alfred Shaw Watts but was commonly known simply as Alfred Watts. He began his career as a cashier for the South Australian Company.
By approximately 1857, Watts departed from the South Australian Company to establish a business alliance with Philip Levi (1822–1898). Their initial venture focused on import and export activities, which over the following fifteen years expanded into managing extensive pastoral estates.
In addition, Watts collaborated with his nephew Percy Wells (1825–1909) through their firm Watts & Wells, which specialized in import/export operations and maritime infrastructure development. In 1869, they advocated for the creation of an Outer Harbour designed to accommodate vessels larger than those Port Adelaide could handle. This initiative, supported by financiers from London seeking exclusive operational rights, encountered resistance from local commercial groups and a Legislative Council committee concerned about potential long-term effects on South Australia's interests.
Watts & Wells submitted bids for construction contracts involving lighthouses and jetties, beginning with the lighthouse at Cape Jaffa. They acted as representatives for Wells Brothers, British engineers associated with Percy Wells.
In the political arena, Watts represented the Flinders seat in the South Australian Legislative Council from October 1855 until February 1857. Subsequently, he served in the South Australian House of Assembly during two periods: from November 1862 to September 1866 and again from May 1868 to February 1875. His involvement included providing financial expertise on several committees. Declining health eventually led him to retire from public duties. After a prolonged illness, he passed away and was interred at Clayton Congregational Church, Kensington.
Between roughly 1865 and 1875, Watts held the position of Consul for Sweden and Norway, succeeding Herbert Aylwin and preceding Edmund William Wright.
Personal
On 18 May 1842, Alfred Watts wed Jane Isabella "Minnie" Giles (1824 – 19 August 1894), who was the second daughter of William Giles, manager of the South Australian Company. Both had journeyed on the Hartley, and their marriage ceremony was conducted by Rev. T. Q. Stow. The couple resided initially at "Leabrook" before moving to "Hazelwood". Jane was also an accomplished author of several books. The marriage did not produce any children.