South Australian Company
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Colonization, land development, infrastructure, mining, fishing, whaling |
| Founded | 9 October 1835 |
| Founder | George Fife Angas and other British businessmen |
| Defunct | 17 March 1949 |
| Fate | Wound up by Elders Trustee & Executor Company Ltd |
| Headquarters | London (founding), offices later in Adelaide, South Australia , United Kingdom (founding), Australia (later operations) |
Key people | George Fife Angas (Chairman), Raikes Currie, Charles Hindley MP, James Hyde, Henry Kingscote, John Pirie, Christopher Rawson, John Rundle MP, Thomas Smith, James Ruddell Todd, Henry Waymouth |
| Products | Land sales, infrastructure development, migration facilitation, whaling ships |
Number of employees | Not specified |
The South Australian Company, also referred to as the South Australia Company, was founded in London on 9 October 1835. This occurred subsequent to the enactment of the South Australia (Foundation) Act 1834, which established the British Province of South Australia and created the South Australian Colonization Commission to supervise its execution.
Operating as a private commercial entity separate from both the British Government and the Colonization Commission, the South Australian Company played a vital role in facilitating migration to the newly formed colony. Under the leadership of George Fife Angas, its initial board consisted of affluent British businessmen dedicated to advancing South Australia by meeting essential financial commitments stipulated by the Act. The company acquired unsold land parcels to satisfy conditions required for emigration to proceed.
During its formative period, the company made substantial investments in infrastructure and contributed to founding key industries such as fishing and mining. It maintained a prominent presence in South Australia's business landscape for more than one hundred years, ultimately ceasing operations on 17 March 1949 when it was wound up by Elders Trustee & Executor Company Ltd. Several streets in Adelaide commemorate figures associated with the company’s founders.
Background
Between 1833 and 1834, the South Australian Association campaigned for the British Government to establish a colony in southern Australia. Its membership included philanthropists and merchants such as Edward Gibbon Wakefield, Robert Gouger, Robert Torrens Sr, and George Fife Angas. Following prolonged negotiations, Parliament enacted the South Australia Act 1834 on 15 August 1834. Although the Association initially advocated for near-autonomous governance of the colony, the government insisted on administration by a Crown-appointed governor alongside a London-based South Australian Colonization Commission. Additionally, the Act mandated a minimum land sales target before emigration could commence.
Foundation
After stepping down from the association, George Fife Angas suggested creating a company to purchase remaining unsold lands—a proposal accepted by the Colonisation Commissioners with the stipulation that it would not monopolize colonial holdings. This led to the establishment of the South Australian Company on 9 October 1835, with Angas appointed as Chairman. The original Board featured Raikes Currie, Charles Hindley MP, James Hyde, Henry Kingscote, John Pirie, Christopher Rawson, John Rundle MP, Thomas Smith, James Ruddell Todd, and Henry Waymouth; Edmund John Wheeler acted as Manager, Samuel Stephens served as Colonial Manager, and Edward Hill held the position of Secretary pro tem.
The company’s founding objective was to assist settlers in meeting obligations under the South Australia Act 1834. To avoid financial strain on Britain, the government required land sales amounting to £35,000. Every director was obliged to acquire shares worth at least £2,500. Significant land purchases were made by Angas—who secured 102 lots totaling 13,770 acres of prime property along with rights to lease an additional 220,160 acres of grazing land valued at £40,000—and by the Currie family who invested £9,000 in shares. Research conducted in 2018 and 2019 has connected these transactions and the company's establishment with British West Indies slavery.
This deliberate acquisition of land facilitated migration and represented a commercial enterprise essential for implementing the colonisation scheme.
First Fleet of South Australia (1836)
After a pivotal gathering held at Exeter Hall on 30 June 1834, which detailed the aims of the newly established Colony of South Australia, the South Australian Association based in London received a surge of emigration requests.
In January 1836, four vessels departed England on behalf of the company, arriving before the expedition led by the Colonisation Commission. Their initial settlement was at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island, but due to unsuccessful agricultural efforts, they relocated to the mainland. The company played a crucial role in developing infrastructure and overseeing land transactions for settlers.
Within a six-month period, nine ships—collectively known as the First Fleet of South Australia—reached the colony:
| Date | Ship | Tonnage | Role | Number of Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 July | Duke of York | (190 tons) | S.A. Company | 38 |
| 30 July | Lady Mary Pelham | (206 tons) | S.A. Company | 29 |
| 16 August | John Pirie | (105 tons) | S.A. Company | 28 |
| 21 August | Rapid | (162 tons) | Commissioners | 24 |
| 11 September | Cygnet | (239 tons) | Commissioners | 84 |
| 5 October | Emma | (181 tons) | S.A. Company | 22 |
| 2 November | Africaine | (316 tons) | Various | 76 |
| 20 November | Tam O'Shanter | (360 tons) | O. Gilles | 74 |
| 23 December | HMS Buffalo | (850 tons) | Commissioners | 171 |
Post-settlement developments
During its formative years, the company constructed vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, mills, docks, and storage facilities, thereby fostering industries including whaling, fishing, and shipbuilding. It owned a fleet of four whaling ships and encouraged mineral prospecting activities.
The company experienced financial difficulties during the 1840s; however, dividend payments recommenced in 1848 following the discovery of copper deposits at Burra. It maintained a significant presence within Adelaide's commercial sector for more than one hundred years.
Starting from 1872, company offices were situated on North Terrace, at the corner with Gawler Place. The "Gawler Chambers" building was completed in 1914 to house its operations.
The South Australian Company was officially dissolved on 17 March 1949, with its remaining affairs transferred to Elders Trustee & Executor Company Ltd.
Colonial Managers
The following individuals served as colonial managers for the South Australian Company:
| Manager |
From |
To |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Sortname | 1836 | 1837 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1837 | 1841 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1841 | 1861 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1861 | 1894 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1894 | 1900 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1901 | 1929 | |
| Template:Sortname | 1930 | 1936 | |
| (none) | 1936 | 1949 |
Company Officers
Several prominent thoroughfares within the Adelaide city centre bear the names of the company’s original directors.
- Chairmen
- 1836–1848 George Fife Angas (1789–1879) (Angas Street)
- 1848–18?? James Ruddell Todd
- 1886–1888 Sir John Rose
- 1889–1897 Charles Gay Roberts
- 1898 Godfrey Webb
- 1899–1923 Henry Joslin
- Directors
- 1836–18?? Raikes Currie (Currie Street)
- 1836–18?? Charles Hindley (Hindley Street)
- 1836–18?? James Hyde
- 1836–18?? Henry Kingscote
- 1836–18?? John Pirie (Pirie Street)
- 1836–18?? Christopher Rawson
- 1836–18?? John Rundle (Rundle Street)
- 1836–18?? Thomas Smith
- 1836–18?? James Ruddell Todd
- 1836–1848 Henry Waymouth (Waymouth Street)
- 1880–1911 Major General Sir Stanley De A.C. Clarke, G.C.V.O., C.M.G.
- 1889–1919 Sir John H. Kennaway, Bart. C.B., M.P.
- 1891–1922 Andrew Johnston
- 1895–1931 John Henry Grant
- 1899–1931 Sir R.H. Hermon Hodge (later Lord Wyfold)
- Joseph Fisher
- Robert Barr Smith
- Tom Elder Barr Smith
- Company Secretaries
- 1878–1911 James Hutchison
- 1911–1930+ Henry Brandreth Gibbs F.C.I.S.
- Attorneys in South Australia
- William Bartley
- 1850–1906 Sir Samuel Davenport, K.C.M.G.
- 1876–1923 John Warren Bakewell
- Local Board of Advice, Adelaide
- 1841–1885 William Bartley
- 1841–18?? Edward Stephens
- 1856–1870 William Bakewell, M.P., Crown Solicitor
- 1876–1923 John Warren Bakewell
- 1886-1930+ Joseph Fisher
- 1894–1932 Sir John Lancelot Stirling K.C.M.G., M.L.C.
- Accountants
- Edward Stephens
- Edward Robert Simpson (died 1900)
- London office
- T.S.E. Gabbatt (died 1927)
- Port Adelaide office
- Captain Alexander Bruce (died c.1891)
- W.H. Farquhar
- F.S. Mackay
- W.D. John
- H.S. Soar
Additional Individuals Connected to the Company
Numerous key streets within the Adelaide city centre were designated in honor of the company’s founding directors. The street naming process concluded on 23 May 1837 and was officially recorded by the Street Naming Committee (Adelaide) on 3 June.
Template:Sortname (1780–1864)|| Commissioner|| |River Torrens| Template:Sortname (1798-1858)|| Drafted founding bill||Wakefield Street|| Template:Sortname(1796-1862)|| Early colonisation proposer|||| Template:Sortname(1791-1848)|| Founding director||Waymouth Street|| Template:Sortname||South Australian Church Society||Whitmore Square|| Template:Sortname(1803-1870)|| Governor of SA(1848-1854)||||| Name | Role | Streets Named | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Sortname (1789–1879) | Commissioner | Angas Street | |
| Template:Sortname (1801–1881) | Founding director | Currie Street | |
| Divett, Edward | Trustee | Divett Place | |
| Template:Sortname (1790–1875) | Resident Commissioner (#1) | Hurtle Square | |
| Fussell, John | Trustee | Assumed position following Henry Waymouth’s death in January 1848. | |
| Template:Sortname (1795–1869) | Governor of SA (1838–1841) | Gawler Place | Also commemorated by the town of Gawler and the Gawler Ranges. |
| Template:Sortname (1791–1862) | Colonial Manager (1841–1860) | ||
| Template:Sortname (1802–1846) | First Colonial Secretary of South Australia | Gouger Street | |
| Template:Sortname (1798–1879) | Member of the South Australian Church Society | Grenfell Street | |
| Template:Sortname (1812–1898) | Governor of SA (1841–1845) | ||
| Template:Sortname | Founding director | Hindley Street | |
| Template:Sortname (1785–1860) | Governor of SA (1836–1838) | Hindmarsh Square | |
| Template:Sortname | Commissioner | Hutt Street | |
| Template:Sortname | Founding Director | Namesake of Kingscote, Kangaroo Island | |
| Template:Sortname (1807–1880) | Deputy Surveyor General | Namesake of Kingston SE | |
| Template:Sortname (1786–1839) | Surveyor General | Light Square | |
| Template:Sortname (1785–1850) | Colonial Manager (1837–1841) | ||
| Moore, Henry Percival | Colonial Manager (1901–1929) | ||
| Template:Sortname (1809–1892) | Land Agent | Morphett Street | |
| Muller, Arthur Leopold Albert | Colonial Manager (1930–1936) | ||
| Template:Sortname | Founding director | Pirie Street | |
| Rawson, Christopher | Founding director | ||
| Template:Sortname (1801–1871) | Governor of SA (1845–1848) | Namesake of Robe, South Australia | |
| Template:Sortname | Founding director | Rundle Street | |
| Smith, Thomas | Founding director | ||
| Sparks, Henry Yorke | Colonial Manager (1894–1900) | ||
| Template:Sortname (1811–1861) | First manager of SA Banking Co. | ||
| Template:Sortname (1808–1840) | Colonial Manager (1836–1837) |
See also
- British colonisation of South Australia
- Colonial Land and Emigration Commission
- History of South Australia
Further reading
- Pearse, Malcolm, Australia's Early Managers Australia Pacific Economic and Business History Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, February 2010. p. 12
- Price, A. Grenfell, Founders & Pioneers of South Australia, Adelaide, 1929
- Image depicting a South Australian Company promissory note valued at sixpence, issued in Kingscote on 1 June 1836, bearing the signature of Samuel Stephens, the inaugural Colonial Manager.
- Sutherland, George, The South Australian Company; a study in colonisation, London; New York: Longmans, Green, 1898.