ALEXANDER GEORGE WEBSTER

1838–1914

Born in London in 1838, Webster emigrated to Tasmania aged eight. He married Louisa Harriet Turnley, producing four sons and two daughters. As well as a businessman of note, Webster was a fine water colour and pencil artist. In 1850, with the assistance of relatives, he formed a large wool merchandising business which rapidly expanded to cover most rural requirements. In 1879 his two sons joined the business which became known as A G Webster & Sons, becoming a public company in 1910. The company opened a Launceston office as well as numerous country agencies. This gave Webster the opportunity to travel north regularly on business. As Chairman of the Fisheries Commission from 1898 to 1913, amongst his many directorships, Webster was able to attend meetings of the newly formed Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association and report back to the Commissioners for endorsement of their activities. The period of his Chairmanship was very volatile, for the Van Diemens Land Bank closed its doors and the State Government ceased financial assistance, as the commercial salmon fishery they were sponsoring had not eventuated. Given these circumstances, the Commission had decided to disband but the anglers in the north of the State raised sufficient funds to finance the activities at the Plenty Hatchery and were given control of angling in all waters around the State except for the Derwent and Huon rivers and lakes St Clair and Echo. This arrangement continued until 1925 when the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Commission was first formed. Webster worked hard as the joint Chairman of both organisations.