Mr. W. Wiley. - The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) - 7 Sep 1889 (original) (raw)

William 'Wiley, the present Mayor of Wollongong,

was born in London in 1852. He arrived in the colony

as an infant, lie is a son of the late David Wiley, an

old colonist, who was in business in Park-street, and

well known 25 years ago as the poetical basket maker.

William. Wiley was educated at the then .National

school at Fort-ttreet, the Rev. R. Boag'sand Mr. A.

Cane's scholastic academics. From 1867 to 1875 he

was employed by different mercantile firms. At the

close of the latter year he was employed in the Survey

branch of the Landd Department; he likewise was ap

pointed about the same time and held the dual position

of council clerk at Waverley. He held both positions

for about five years, when he resigned them, his own

land speculations requiring the whole of his energies.

On resigning his position of council clerk he was

elected : alderman of Waverley, a position he held for

three years. During his connection with the borough

of Wnvcrlcy, he was greatly instrumental in advancing

the borough by his assistance to the then Mayor, and

by his securing and breaking up the large holdings of

land in tlie suburb. Having purchased large interests

in the lllawarra district, notably at Wollongong, he was

about five years ago elected alderman without opposit on,

and in 'February, 1886, he was unanimously elected

Mayor.1 of the borough of Wollongong. During his

year of office the Wollongong Town Hall was built,

and opened by his Excellency the Governor. After an

absence of two years from the mayoral chair, Mr. Wiley

was again elected to that position in February, 1889.

Mr. Wiley's municipal training has been such as to.

enable him to assist considerably in forwarding the

interests of the borough, and he is anxious to do bis

utrnost. in its behalf. He visa candidate in the late

election in the interest of a moderate protection, and

was defeated. Three years ago he also strongly con

tested the election, when only one member was eligible

for election ; but owing to the duel being a three

cornered one he met with defeat. In all public matters

he has shown himself a hard worker for the best

interests of lllawarra, and he is certainly very enthusi

asticin the formation of a Harbour Trust at Wollongong',

an approved scheme for which he was. the promoter.