The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Wilson, William Chisholm
Wilson, William Chisholm, was one of the fathers of New Zealand journalism. He was a practical printer by trade, and entered into partnership with Mr. John Williamson in the publication of the New Zealander newspaper, which first saw the light at Auckland in 1845. Mr. Wilson introduced the first Caxton printing machine into New Zealand, and also established the first gasworks, having purchased a small plant to light his own offices. Differences with his partner over the policy of the paper led to a dissolution in 1863, and a few months later Mr. Wilson started the New Zealand Herald, which soon extinguished its predecessor. In connection with this journal Mr. Wilson started a weekly issue. Although unwilling to enter public life, Mr. Wilson actively assisted in founding many Auckland institutions, among the most noteworthy being the Bank of New Zealand and the New Zealand Insurance Company, of which he remained a director till his death on July 10th, 1876. The Herald under his management became the leading morning paper in the colony. After his demise the business was carried on by his sons, Messrs. W. S. and J. L. Wilson, who had previously assisted in its management. They entered into partnership with Mr. A. G. Horton, who had purchased the Southern Cross, the other morning journal, from Sir Julius Vogel, and the two papers were amalgamated, the Southern Cross becoming merged into the Herald and the weekly issue of the latter paper losing its identity in the Weekly News, an older journal published in connection with the Southern Cross.