​Barling, Joseph, is a native of England, and was educated at Poole, Dorsetshire. He emigrated to Australia, and entered the New South Wales public service as a clerk in the Railway Department in July 1860, and subsequently held the appointments of chief clerk and accountant in the Harbours and Rivers Department, acting accountant in the Railway Department, and chief clerk in the Public Works Department. In 1888 he was promoted to his present position as Under Secretary for Public Works.