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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Mr. William Black

Mr. William Black was the second son of the late Thomas Black, J.P., M.D., F.R.G.S.A., of Melbourne, Victoria, who was practically the founder of many useful Victorian institutions, such as the Zoological Gardens, the Medical Society of Victoria, and the Bank of Victoria. William Black was born at Carrickfergus. County Antrim, Ireland, on the 26th of January, 1830. His father migrated to Sydney, New South Wales, in 1831, and practised his profession in that town until 1842, when he was appointed surgeon to the Imperial troops then stationed at Melbourne. Whilst the family was at Sydney William Black was educated at private schools, and while at Melbourne he attended the academical institution kept by the Rev. Mr. Brickwood. In 1853 he accompanied his father and family to England, and spent some years on the continent. In 1861 he and his brother Charles took up the Omakio run in Central Otago. It was in 1862 that the famous gold rush took place in the neighbourhood of the station, near which the town of Blacks (Ophir) arose. Owing to a sudden drop in the price of wool, then the only mainstay of sheepowners, the Black brothers, had, like many others at the time, to relinquish sheepfarming. Mr. William Black thereupon again entered commercial life, and became manager at Oamaru for Messrs Cargill and McLean, merchants. Whilst residing in that town he took a keen interest in matters of public interest, as he did throughout his active life. In 1870 he returned to Victoria, where he had received a good banking appointment, and in subsequent years he managed the Prahran branch of the National Bank of Australasia. He also held other managerial appointments until his retirement from banking, in 1887, while a resident of New Zealand. Mr. Black returned to Victoria, where he died at his residence, at South Yarra, on the 30th of June, 1897; aged sixty-seven. He had eight surviving children, six sons and two daughters. Three of the sons reside in New Zealand. The accompanying photograph shows Mr. Black in court dress, and was taken before he left London for New Zealand.

The Late Mr. W. Black.

The Late Mr. W. Black.