Mr William Allnut Saw
- Position
- Member Kings Park Board
- Year of death
- 1949
- Plaque number
- FB7
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
William Allnut Saw (28/10/1860 - 27/5/1949) was born in Perth, the son of Henry and Mary Ann (nee Syred) Saw and older brother of Athelstan Saw.
He was inspector of plans and surveys, and assistant registrar of titles. At the termination of his scholastic studies in 1876 he was articled to Mr JS Brooking, staff surveyor in the Survey Department.
Upon completion of his indentures, he was engaged in the department under Sir John Forrest, then deputy surveyor-general, and accompanied his as assistant surveyor on two expeditions; in 1881, to ascertain the nature of the country for the proposed Great Southern Railway and in 1882 to survey country traversed by the Gascoyne, Lyndon and Minilya Rivers.
In 1883, he was assistant surveyor to Mr JS Brooking, who was in charge of the survey expedition to the Fitzroy River West Kimberley.
In 1884, Mr Saw started on his own account, undertaking contract survey for the department.
In 1893, he was offered and accepted a position in the Land Titles Office.
In 1906, he was elected by the professional division of the Public Service to represent them on the Appeal Board constituted under the Public Service Act, receiving re-election on two subsequent occasions.
When the municipality was created at North Fremantle, he was elected as a councillor and retained the seat for six years.
He was a life member and one of the vice presidents of the Kings Park bowling club and councillor of the Institute of Surveyors WA, of which he was also honorary treasurer.
In 1897, he became a fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute London. In 1897 he married May Gwendoline Staples of London and had a family of three sons and five daughters.
After his retirement, he continued in matters of public interest and with Mr W.E. Bold, was largely instrumental in the establishment of the town planning association of which he became president.
On 16 March 1927, he became a member of the Kings Park Board and later President (1936-49). Saw Avenue, Kings Park was named after him 16 November 1945.
Mr William Saw was a member of the Kings Park Board in 1929 during the Western Australia Centenary celebrations.