[1][2] He resigned as provincial solicitor in June 1869[3] and was again appointed Crown Prosecutor for the Hawke's Bay in August 1870.
[5][6] Wilson was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council on 23 November 1877[7] by George Grey in order to strengthen the Government in that Chamber.
This caused considerable controversy as the appointment happened during a time that a vote of confidence was pending.
[8] At first the governor, Lord Normanby, refused to make the appointment (a decision without precedent in New Zealand), but ultimately did so.
[13] Wilson died at Weybridge, Surrey, on 14 November 1895, from throat cancer.