22 Facts About Paddy Crick

William Patrick Crick was an Australian politician, solicitor and newspaper proprietor.

Paddy Crick was born at Truro, South Australia and in about 1868 the family moved into western New South Wales, settling at Spicer's Creek near Wellington.

Paddy Crick was admitted as a solicitor in 1886 and developed a successful practice in the criminal courts.

Paddy Crick debated the matter with the Chairman before withdrawing it.

Paddy Crick was then physically removed by the serjeant-at-arms and attendants.

The disturbance was reported to the Speaker, Joseph Abbott, who directed that Paddy Crick be allowed into the chamber to provide his explanation.

Paddy Crick argued with Speaker stating "I am certainly not going to allow the Chair to knock me into a sort of pulverised sausage".

Paddy Crick continued to argue with the Speaker who then instructed the serjeant-at-arms to again remove Paddy Crick.

Sir Henry Parkes moved that Paddy Crick be expelled for his disorderly conduct before the committee.

Paddy Crick's resignation was not treated as effective and he was expelled.

Paddy Crick repeated his accusations of corruption in his campaign speeches, and was re-elected in the resulting by-election, with a slightly increased margin.

Paddy Crick sued Butler for slander, however the jury found for Butler.

Paddy Crick succeeded in having enacted a first offenders' probation bill in 1894.

Paddy Crick was charged with conspiracy in 1895 in relation to the George Dean case, but managed to evade conviction.

Paddy Crick was Secretary for Lands from April 1901 to June 1904.

Paddy Crick was elected as member for Blayney on the abolition of West Macquarie in 1904.

Paddy Crick expected to become Premier when John See resigned and See recommended him for the position but Governor Sir Harry Rawson refused to appoint Crick because of his excessive drinking in Executive Council meetings, and in due course asked Thomas Waddell to be Premier.

Paddy Crick then submitted his resignation from parliament, however before it was accepted the assembly passed a motion that he was guilty of conduct that rendered him ineligible to sit as a member.

The Full Court of the Supreme Court found that the evidence before the Royal Commission showed that Paddy Crick was not a fit and proper person to be a solicitor and he was struck off the roll on 23 August 1907.

Paddy Crick challenged the validity of his suspension in the Supreme Court and was successful before the Full Court, however this was overturned on appeal to the Privy Council which held that the Legislative Assembly was the sole judge whether an "occasion" had arisen that affected the orderly conduct of the Assembly.

Paddy Crick stood for parliament again at the September 1907 election for Surry Hills but was unsuccessful.

Paddy Crick was buried at Waverley Cemetery on 25 August 1908.