William Frederick Higgins entered the Colonial Office as a supernumerary clerk on
1 August 1838. He was promoted assistant junior clerk on 30 November 1839, junior
clerk on 1 July 1843, and assistant clerk on 31 March 1857.
During his years with the Colonial Office, Higgins served as private secretary to
the various undersecretaries of state from 31 December 1847 to 31 October 1858. Higgins
resigned then to accept appointment as registrar of the court of bankruptcy, to which
court he was appointed master the court in November 1863.
Office-Holders, Colonial Office, p. 42; Colonial Office List 1864, p. 183.