John See

Sir John See (14 October 1844 – 31 January 1907) was a member of the New South Wales Legislature from 26 November 1880 to 15 June 1901, and was then Premier of New South Wales from 1901 to 1904.

He was well regarded by both sides of politics, for Labour politicians judged that the establishment of the State clothing factory during his administration had a great influence in abolishing sweating, and that the right to women to vote for New South Wales parliament, although not to stand for it, was also introduced. The governor of New South Wales at the time of his Premiership, the 7th Earl of Beauchamp, privately judged See to be "a self made man of good heart but a most pushing and disagreeable manner".

Early life See was the son of Joseph See, a farm-labourer, and his wife Mary Ann née Bailey, and was born in Yelling, Huntingdon, England. The Parish Records of his baptism show that he was christened "See or Seekings" and that his parents/grandparents etc. used both surnames. He acquired property throughout the state, including Yester Grange.

Political career

His government passed the Industrial Arbitration Act in 1901 and the Female Suffrage Act in 1902. On the other hand, poor economic conditions and drought forced the government to abandon an ambitious public works program. (now Randwick cemetery) along with members of his family including his wife Charlotte who died 3 years before him; infant children Percy aged 10 weeks, John Bruce aged 13 months, along with a grandson named Charles Bryen, the youngest son of John Charles Matthews See and his wife Constance L. née Bryen. John Charles Matthews See is also named here, after he died in 1932.

His youngest son Lieutenant Sydney Matthews See, who died in World War I on 10 October 1916 and is interred at , Mametz, Somme, France, is commemorated on the obelisk at the Randwick Cemetery as well.

Honours See was created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1902. The See Parks in Grafton and Broken Hill are named after him, the one in Broken Hill being dedicated by him in 1902.