Josceline George Herbert Amherst (7 June 1846 – 1 February 1900) was a member of the first Western Australian Legislative Council under responsible government. He also played first-class cricket.

The Honourable
Josceline Amherst
Personal information
Full name
Josceline George Herbert Amherst
Born(1846-06-07)7 June 1846
Westminster, London, England
Died1 February 1900(1900-02-01) (aged 53)
Darlington, Western Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingSlow
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1866Marylebone Cricket Club
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 2
Runs scored 15
Batting average 3.75
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 7
Balls bowled 66
Wickets 3
Bowling average 12
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 2/26
Catches/stumpings 0/–
Source: CricketArchive, 9 August 2008

Biography

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Josceline Amherst was born in Westminster in London on 7 June 1846, the fifth son of William Pitt Amherst, 2nd Earl Amherst. He was educated at Eton College, matriculated to Christ Church, Oxford but did not graduate. He became a barrister of the Inner Temple in 1874.

As a cricketer he played his games for Marylebone Cricket Club and the Gentlemen of Kent.[1] His highest score of 7 came when playing for Marylebone Cricket Club in the match against Hampshire County Cricket Club.[2] His best bowling of 2/26 came when playing for the Gentlemen of Kent in the match against the Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club.[3]

From 1881 to 1883, Amherst was private secretary to Sir William Des Vœux, Governor of Fiji. In June 1885, he emigrated to Western Australia, where he took up an appointment as private secretary to Governor Frederick Broome and Clerk to the Executive Council, which positions he held until 1887. He then returned to London for a brief period, arriving back in Western Australia in March 1888. He then established himself on his Holmesdale property at Darlington. On 24 December 1890, he was nominated by the governor to Western Australia's first Legislative Council under responsible government. He remained on the Council until June 1894, when it became elective.

In 1897 Amherst went into partnership with a Dr A. R. Waylen, establishing a vineyard at Smith's Mill. He later became President of the Swan Vine and Fruit Growers Association. In 1897 he also became a director of the WA Mortgage and Agency Company. For a time he was also President of the Royal Agricultural Society in Western Australia. He died at Darlington on 1 February 1900.[4][5] He was unmarried.

References

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  1. ^ "First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Josceline Amherst". CricketArchive. 9 August 2008.
  2. ^ "Hampshire v Marylebone Cricket Club". CricketArchive. 6 August 2008.
  3. ^ "Gentlemen of Kent v Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club". CricketArchive. 6 August 2008.
  4. ^ "Death of the Hon. J. G. H. Amherst". The West Australian. Vol. 16, no. 4, 343. Western Australia. 2 February 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 1 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Obituary". The Times. No. 36058. London. 6 February 1900. p. 10.
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