William Nicholson

William Nicholson, Chief Secretary, c1865. State Library of Victoria Collection (H141396).

To the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Melbourne... [from] the undersigned Inhabitants of Melbourne considering the Unsettled State of a portion of the Diggings, and the necessity measures for the Better PROTECTION OF THE CITY, and upholding the cause of Law and Order, hereby request your Worship to convene A PUBLIC MEETING... John Ferress, Government Printer, 05 December 1854. State Library of Victoria Collection (H29555 ).

Background

William Nicholson was Chief Secretary of Victoria from 27 October 1859 to 26 November 1860.

Post 1854 Experiences

William Nicholson advocated the ballot in Parliamentary elections.

Obituary

DEATH OF THE HON WILLIAM NICHOLSON.

At an early hour on the 10th. at his residence in St Kilda, after a long illness, died the Hon William Nicholson, whose name is indissoluble associated with the history of Victoria ' the father of the ballot," nnil the author of the Land Act of 18C0. In him a straightforward, well-meaning, honest, and upright man has passed away from amongst us. For a long time past Mr Nicholson had been unable to take his wonted part in public life. Struck down suddenly by paralysis early in 1864, the severity of the attack left little hope of ultimate recovery. Since then the thread of life has gradually worn itself away. He passes to his rest sincerely regretted and lamented. The 'Argus' of the 14th says.-—The funeral of the late Hon William Nicholson took place yesterday. Though " no public rites nor formal ostentation marked the obsequies, they were still most befitting the occasion. Arranged his a private ceremony, the unsolicited and general respect manifested by the public converted it into much more, and thus a seemly tribute was paid to the memory of one whose life as a citizen, a trader, and a politician, had been marked by a zwal as unobtrusive as sincere. For the reason stated, no public bodies took part in the procession, which was confined exclusively to the friends Mr Nicholson had gathered round him in the course of his active social and political career. Nevertheless, the cortege, which left St Kilda at half-past one o'clock, numbered when ic reached Melbourne, upwards of an hour later, nearly 100 vehicles, the occupants of which included the leading members of many sects and many parties. At the St Kilda and Melbourne Town-halls, and at many other places, flags were hoisted half-mast high, the shops along the line of route were partially and in many instances wholly closed, and large numbers of spectators grouped along the footways One unfortunate circumstance, however, checked a larger popular demonstration. This was the weather, which was most unfavourable, a heavy pall of dust over hanging the city, and lowering clouds continually threatening a rainy downfall. With these accilents remembered, the private character of the proceedings, and the threatening day, the large attendance was a significant sign of how much and how great was the good will which followed the deceased through bis political retirement even to the last. In the mourning coaches were the members of the family, the executors, and the pall bearers. The latter the hon the Minister of Customs, Sir Francis Murphy, the Hon H. Mieler, M.L.C., Mr 0'Shanassy, Mr J. D. Wood, Mr J. Matheson, and the Mayor of Melbourne. The members of the Legislature present were Sir James Palmer, and the Hon Messrs Hervey, Highett, Pettott, M.L.C's; and Messrs Howard, Cape, Cowell, M'Lilian Mason, Harrison, J. T. Smith, M. L. A.'s. Messrs Ireland. R.S. Anderson, J. C. King, H. Newton, J. S. Johnston, former colleagues of the deceased in the Victorian Administrations he was connected wich, were also in attendance. The cemetery was not reached until half-past three o'clock, when the body was interred according to the ritual of the Church of England, in the family vault, near to the entrance to the grounds.

Further Reading

Corfield, J., Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.

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