Boyle Finnis

Boyle Finnis (1807–1893) was the first Premier of the Colony of South Australia from 24 October 1856 to 20 August 1857 when he was succeeded by the second Premier John Baker.

Finniss first arrived in South Australia in 1836 as assistant to surveyor-general Colonel William Light. He assisted in laying out the city of Adelaide, then joined Light in a private surveying firm, Light, Finniss & Co. He also had several other business interests, but they eventually all failed, and he returned to the public service as commissioner of police, then as treasurer, then colonial secretary. As colonial secretary, he became the first premier in 1856, before the first election in March 1857. He remained in politics until 1862 and public service until 1881.

While in private enterprise, Light and Finniss surveyed several towns, including Glenelg and Gawler.

From 1864 he was appointed as Government Resident of the Northern Territory. He was not popular, and did not have good relationships with the local aborigines.

The Finniss River in South Australia and Finniss River in the Northern Territory are both named after him, along with Finniss Springs, and the South Australian electorate of Finniss, on Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

External links

• SA Parliament – Finniss
• Northern Territory History]
• History of Adelaide through street names