Born in Bluff (then known as Campbelltown) 19 January 1883, Hamilton was educated at Southland Boys' High School where he was a member of the 1st XV between 1897 and 1898.
[1][2] Hamilton was one of the principal players, along with fellow All Black Ned Hughes, in the saga of petty officialdom which marred both the Southland and eventually New Zealand unions in 1908–09.
However, whilst suspended the teams played a benefit match under the new Northern Union (rugby league) rules.
Then, in 1909, the New Zealand Rugby Union decreed that any player who had played any game under the "Northern" rules was to be regarded as a professional and was to be expelled.
He was one of three players nominated by the Southland Cricket Association for the New Zealand team to tour Australia in 1913-14, but he did not earn national honours.