On 1 October 1923, Sir Charles Coghlan took charge as the first Premier of the Southern Rhodesia after the referendum in 1922 which decided not to join the Union of South Africa but chose responsible government instead.
List of ministers Following is a list of the 8 ministers of the First Cabinet
DepartmentTitle of MinisterFirst Minister (Electoral District)Senior Permanent Officials Department of the Premier Premier Sir Charles Patrick John Coghlan (Bulawayo North) Chief of StaffSecretary to the Premier & Chief Clerk to the Legislative Assembly Department of Native Affairs Minister of Native Affairs Chief Native Commissioner Department of the Colonial Secretary Colonial Secretary Sir Francis James Newton (Mazoe) Secretary to the Department of the Colonial SecretaryController of Printing & Stationery Audit Department Auditor-GeneralAssistant Auditor and InspectorInspectorSenior Examiner Department of Health, Education and Internal Affairs Medical DirectorDirector of Education Department of the Treasury Treasurer Percival Donald Leslie Fynn (Salisbury North) Secretary to the TreasuryCommissioner of TaxesController of CustomsPostmaster-General Department of the Attorney-General Attorney-General Major Robert James Hudson (Bulawayo North) Solicitor-GeneralSecretary to the Law Department & Legal AdviserSenior JudgeJudgeMaster of the High CourtCommissioner of PoliceRegistrar of Deeds Department of Defence Minister of Defence Secretary to the Department of DefenceCommandant of Southern Rhodesian Forces Department of Mines and Public Works Minister of Mines and Public Works Howard Unwin Moffat (Victoria) SecretaryAccountantInspectors of Mines (2)Mining Commissioners (4)Registrar of ClaimsBeacon Inspectors (3) Public Works Department Director of Public WorksAssistant ArchitectAssistant Inspectors (2) Roads Department Engineer-in-Charge of RoadsAssistant Road Engineers (2)Assistant Road Engineer and Surveyor Geological Survey Director of Geological SurveyGeologists (2) Department of Agriculture Minister of Agriculture and Lands William Muter Leggate (Northern) Director of AgricultureChief Veterinary SurgeonDirector of Veterinary Research Department of Lands Director of Lands & Surveyor-General
As well as financial matters, the Treasurer ran the postal, telegraph and telephone services, as well as customs and excise. The Attorney-General was responsible for the police and prisons as well as legal and judicial affairs.
Ministers were permitted to prefix their names with "The Honourable".
The High Commissioner retained his nominal authority over Southern Rhodesia, but his powers were mostly devolved upon the Governor in Council.
Sir Charles Coghlan, Premier and Minister of Native Affairs Percival Donald Leslie Fynn, Treasurer
References