Augustus F. Goodridge

Augustus Frederick Goodridge, businessman, politician (b at Paignton, Eng 1839; d at St John's 16 Feb 1920). First elected as a Conservative in 1880, Goodridge moved into Opposition in the mid-1880s and became leader in 1884-85. He was a member of the Reform Party government led by Sir Robert Thorburn 1885-89. He became premier of Newfoundland in April 1894 when William Whiteway's government resigned after petitions alleging corrupt electoral practices against a majority of its members had been filed in the Supreme Court. Goodridge's Tory government clung to power for 8 months amidst growing political and financial chaos, resigning on December 12 after the collapse of the 2 local banks.