William Wilson (Victorian politician)

He emigrated to Australia in October 1852, in the ship Sir William Molesworth—a joint stock concern—all the passengers having an interest in her.

After they had straggled through the commercial crisis of 1854, the partnership was dissolved, whereupon Mr. Wilson went into the New Zealand trade, bringing oats, etc., to the Fiery Creek rush.

Wilson was Commissioner of Railways in the James McCulloch Government from 2 to 20 September 1869, and again under the same Premier from 9 April 1870, to 19 June 1871.

He re-entered the political arena for a short time in 1881, when he opposed the re-election of David Gaunson, at Ararat, on his appointment as Commissioner of Crown Lands, and succeeded in defeating him by a considerable majority.

Mr. Wilson was largely interested in pastoral pursuits in Victoria and New South Wales, and was also chairman of the Evening Standard Newspaper Company of Melbourne.