William Patrick Manning

Sir William Patrick Manning (18 November 1845 – 20 April 1915) was an Australian financier and politician.

Early life

Manning was born at Darlinghurst, New South Wales, to baker John Manning and Margaret Hourigan He would serve on the council until 6 December 1900. In April 1891 Sydney Burdekin resigned as Mayor of Sydney to travel to Europe and Manning was unanimously elected to replace him. He served as Mayor until December 1894. During his time on council, he was a member of the Finance Committee, 1899–1900, the Electric Lighting Committee, 1895–1900 and the Disposal of Refuse Committee, 1895–98. He oversaw the remodelling of the Belmore Markets and played a major role in the construction of the Queen Victoria Market Building. He chaired the 1891 Royal Commission into Alleged Chinese Gambling and Immorality, and was also commissioner on three other occasions. He was noted for his management of the council during the financial crisis in 1893 and for assisting Premier Sir George Dibbs in drafting the Bank Issue Act of 1893. He was successful at the 1893 by-election, Multi-member districts were abolished in 1894 and South Sydney was divided into 4 new districts, including Sydney-Phillip. Manning stood as the Protectionist candidate for Sydney-Phillip, however he was defeated at the 1894 election by 117 votes (7.7%). He was a strong advocate for Federation in his campaign for Woollahra at the 1898 election, He did not hold ministerial or party office. He was survived by his wife and eight children. The second son, Sir Henry, was a barrister and politician, while the fourth son, Frederic, was a writer.

Honours Manning was knighted on 15 February 1894, by reference to his service as Mayor of Sydney.