Arthur Searcy

Arthur Searcy (6 January 1852 near Mount Barker, South Australia – 9 December 1935 in Harrow Road, St Peters, South Australia) was President of the Public Service, Deputy Commissioner of Taxes and Stamps and President of the Marine Board in South Australia.

Life and career Arthur Searcy was a son of William Searcy and his wife Charlotte Edwin née Roffe. His parents, and uncle Frederick Searcy, had arrived at Port Adelaide on 3 September 1849, on the ship Louisa Baillie . William Searcy was Chief Inspector of Police in South Australia. Arthur Searcy went to Pulteney Street School in Adelaide and was also educated by Dr. Sweatman in Port Lincoln.

He married Emily Louisa Payne (1855–1932), on 2 December 1871 at the residence of J. Kither of Norwood. Boarding Officer for Customs, 1873 Clerk Customs, 1874 Clerk Audit office, 1875 Clerk Customs, 1876 Tide Inspector and measurer of ships, Customs, 1889 Corresponding Clerk Customs and Sea Marine Board, 1890 Acting Deputy Commissioner of Taxes and Stamps, 1891 Customs and Marine Board in 1894 Clerk Assistant and Sergeant at Arms, House of Assembly, 1895 Deputy Commissioner of Taxes and Stamps, 1897 Deputy Commissioner of Taxes, 1901 Press Marine and Board, 1902 Inspector of kerosene, 1902 Commissioner of Trade Marks and Registrar of Copyrights, 1904 Controller of the Outer Harbour at Port Adelaide, 1907 Controller of Ocean Steamers Wharf, 1909 Chief Inspector under Inflammable Oils Act, 1909 Superintendent of Life Saving Service, 1909 Controller of Harbours and Chairman of Harbours Board Committee, 1911 Retirement, 1917

Arthur Searcy created the scheme for the acquisition of wharfs and harbours by the government, and all of the wharfs were taken over under his guidance.

Arthur Searcy was highly respected and rather wealthy. He was invited to many functions. He attended for instance together with the Governor of South Australia the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on 26 June 1902, the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary on 24 May 1911, a memorial service for King Edward VII on 20 May 1910; the Mayor Easter Excursion on the River Murray on 5 April 1897; the official opening of the Electric Tramways system in Port Adelaide, during which he rode in the first car together with the Mayor J. Sweeney and members of the City Council. He was also invited to the Inauguration of Electric Lighting on the Brighton Jetty on 20 January 1917.