Oliver, Alexander

Alexander Oliver was born in Sydney, son of Andrew Oliver of Manchester, and his wife Mary Ann, nee Kenyon. Andrew Oliver died a few years after Alexander's birth and his mother remarried TW Smart, a prominent businessman and subsequently, Colonial Treasurer, Member of the NSW Parliament and Minister for Public Works under Sir Charles Cowper.

Oliver was educated at various schools in Sydney: Mr Cape's School, Mr Taylor's School (later Fort Street Boys), and Mr Carey's School. During this period Oliver lost his left arm in a shooting accident at Bondi. In 1852 Oliver matriculated to the University of Sydney and was among the first group of students admitted to the University. However, his family moved to England in 1854 and Oliver went with them, transferring his studies to Oxford University. He graduated with an MA with Honours in 1861, and in 1862 was called to the Bar, practicing as a barrister in England until 1864, when he returned to Sydney. During his period in England Oliver married his first wife Adelaide Beresford Gwyn, however, she died shortly after the Olivers arrived back in Sydney.

On 12 December 1864 Oliver was appointed Examiner to the Council of Education, and on 1 August of the following year he became Parliamentary Draftsman with W. H. Wilkinson, a position he held until 1892. From this time on Oliver was very active in public life, holding a wide variety of positions: Secretary to the Law Reform Commission, 1 July 1870; Registrar of Friendly Societies, 20 January 1874; Examiner of Titles under the Real Property Act, 13 July 1874; Fellow of the University of Sydney Senate 1879-1904; Member of the Fisheries Commission, 1881; Registrar of Trade Unions, 16 December 1881; President of the Intoxicating Drink Enquiry Commission, 1886; Member of the State House Designs Board, 1887; Trustee of the Free Public Library, 1887; Member of the Civil Service Board, 1888. In 1892 Oliver was appointed President of the Land Appeal Court, a position he held until his death in 1904.

In 1900, after Federation, Oliver was given a Royal Commission by the NSW Government to inquire into possible sites for a seat of government for the new nation. Oliver traveled to many of the proposed sites and presented his report in 1902, recommending the adoption of a site in the Eden-Bombala district. The NSW Government did not, however, have the power to decide on the final site and the Commonwealth Government held its own inquiries, eventually deciding on the present site in 1908.

In 1903 the NSW Government gave Oliver a Commission to inquire into land holdings on Norfolk Island. On the return journey the ship he was traveling on with his daughter Dorothea, caught fire and sank just off Lord Howe Island. All the passengers and crew made their way safely to Lord Howe but it was nearly a fortnight before another ship arrived that could take them back to Sydney. It appears from the diary Oliver kept at this time that he was already unwell [see Series 1403].

As well as his ordinary work Oliver published a number of books on legal subjects, including editions of NSW Criminal Law, and the Real Property Acts, as well as a two volume edition of the Imperial and Local Statutes in force in NSW in 1879. In addition Oliver was a frequent correspondent with Sydney newspapers, and the author of a number of columns on topics such as legal matters, social comment, and fishing. His favourite pastime was sailing and he was a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron from the 1860s, being the squadron's rear-commodore in the period 1897-1900. He owned at least three yachts during these years, Vivandiere, Possum and Antidote.

On 30 January 1875 Oliver married Eliza Celia Gowlland, sister of Lieutenant Thomas Gowlland, at St Mark's Church, Darling Point. They had seven surviving children, four sons (J Marcius, A Richard, Francis Badham, and GT Dalley), and three daughters (C Dorothea, R Helen, and M Blanche). Two daughters predeceased Oliver, Katherine Alice who died on 7 November 1900 aged 22, and another whose name is unknown. Oliver died at his home Shelcote in Neutral Bay on 2 June 1904. His funeral was held at Christ Church St Laurence, and he was buried in the cemetery of St Thomas's Church, North Sydney. Probate was granted on 13 July 1904.