Edward Combes

Edward Combes (6 September 1830 – 18 October 1895), was an engineer, pastoralist, politician and painter. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and later the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Combes entered the Government service of New South Wales in 1858. Four years later he was appointed Government Mining Engineer, and was returned to the Assembly for Bathurst in 1872, for Orange in 1875, and at a later period for East Macquarie. Combes was Secretary for Public Works in the Robertson Ministry from August to December 1877, and in the following year was appointed Executive Commissioner for New South Wales at the Paris International Exhibition, his seat in Parliament being declared vacant by reason of his acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown. For his services at Paris and his successful management of the New South Wales Court he was created C.M.G. and an officer of the Legion of Honour. Mr. Combes, who married a daughter of the late William C. Hare, is a member of the Institution of French Civil Engineers, and an associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers of London. He is also an artist of considerable merit, and has exhibited with success at some of the leading London picture galleries. Combes was nominated to the Legislative Council of New South Wales in 1891.