Background
BALE, Henry was born on January 12, 1854. Son of W. E. Bale, Justice of the Peace, formerly Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, and Charlotte Drew Bale. ?n. 1st, 1886, Eliza (d.
1890), daughter of W. B. Wood, Edinburgh. 2nd, Margaret, daughter of late W. F. Berning, Pietermaritzburg, Natal.
Education
Studied at High School, Pietermaritzburg. Grammar School, Exeter, England.
Career
Admitted Attorney of the Supreme Court of Natal, 1875. Advocate, 1878; member of Committee of Zulu War Relief Fund, 1879. Member of late Council of Education, 1886-1893.
A nominee member of Legislative Council, 1890. Chairman of Committee on the supply of liquor to natives, 1891. Member of Legislative Assembly, Pietermaritzburg City, since 1893.
Twice sent for to form a Ministry, but declined. Acted as leader during illness of Prime Minister, Sir Henry Binns. AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Education, 1897-1901.
Member of the Council of the University of the Cape of Good Hope, 1902. Chairman Natal Volunteer and War Relief Committee, 1899-1902. Chairman Pietermaritzburg Association for Aid to Sick and Wounded, 1899-1902.
Administrator, Natal, June-July 1903, January-Sep. 1904, July-October 1909, December-January 1909-1910. Has acted as DeputyGovernor on many occasions. King’s Counsel 1897; Chief - Justice Natal since 1901.
Membership
Club: Victoria, Pietermaritzburg.