Colonial Treasurer 6.6.1856 - 25.8.1856
(Donaldson Ministry No.1 6.6.1856 - 25.8.1856)
Born Horbury, Yorkshire, England, 14 November 1811.
Educated Pontrefact and Wakefield. Leeds wool merchant. Well travelled, arrived NSW Helvellyn 16 November 1842; Magistrate, wool-buyer, financier, pastoralist.
Director Sydney Tramway and Railway Co. Founding director of the AMP Society December 1848. Resigned when appointed Colonial Treasurer.
Director City Bank. Testified before the 'Select Committee on Monetary Confusion' in 1843, offering a solution to the monetary difficulties in the Colony-the Pfandbriefe System of government debentures.
Dr Ludwig Leichhardt, explorer, was godfather to his son Frederick. Serious speculator in land in the Banksia, Rocky Point Road area Sutherland and in the city of Sydney.
Developed the oyster breeding industry in the 1860s establishing the first oyster farm in the colony. He was interested in alpacas, social justice, unemployment. Introduced rabbits, meat preservation and refrigeration.
Entered Legislative Assembly representing Stanley Boroughs 1856-1861, Newtown 1861-64, and first Colonial Treasurer under Responsible Government.
Appointed Member Legislative Council 1868-1883. When contesting a place in the old Legislative Council Henry Parkes, also a candidate described Holt as a 'Merchant prince, a German Prince with his Chinese subjects...utterly foreign and un-English' were his ideas.
Died 5 September 1888 Bexley, Kent, England. Survived by wife Sophie Eulert and six children. Estate valued at nearly £330,000.
NSW Treasurers
Last updated: 04/02/2021
