Mr. William Duncan was born in the year 1843 in the parish of Errol, Perthshire, Scotland, where he went to school. He entered the service of the Union Bank of Australia, in London, and in 1863 was transferred to Melbourne, Australia. Then he came to New Zealand, where he eventually was appointed manager of the Hokitika branch of the Union Bank of Australia. Mr. Duncan occupied this position for eight years, and started business on his own account in 1879. He has been chairman of the Hokitika Benevolent Society since 1885. Mr. Duncan married a daughter of Mr. James Petrie, of Hokitika, in the year 1871, and has two daughters, both of whom are married. He is further referred to as a general commission agent. Mr. Duncan is manager of the Hokitika Savings Bank, agent for the Public Trustee, secretary to the local Gas Company, and holds numerous other agencies.