James Hoskins (1823 – 1 April 1900) was a politician in colonial New South Wales.[1]
Hoskins was born in London and emigrated to Australia in 1853.[2] After a varied experience on the diggings, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the new district of Goldfields North at the 1859 election,[3] supported by voluntary contributions from miners.[4] He held the seat at the 1859 election,[5] until financial reasons forced his resignation in 1863, becoming the overseer of northern roads.[4]
He was elected to his former seat at the 1868 by-election.[6] In December 1869 he was returned for Patrick's Plains,[7] and in February 1872 for Tumut.[8] Hoskins was Secretary for Public Works in the Parkes Government from March to August 1877, and Secretary for Lands in the Parkes-Robertson Ministry from December 1878 to December 1881.[2]