William Fitzherbert (New Zealand politician)
Henry Jackson | |
---|---|
2nd Superintendent of Wellington Province | |
In office 28 April 1871 – 1 January 1877 | |
Preceded by | Isaac Featherston |
Succeeded by | None (office abolished) |
Personal details | |
Born | 15 August 1810 Dorset England |
Died | 6 February 1891 Lower Hutt New Zealand | (aged 80)
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | Sarah Jane Leigh |
Relations | Patrick Buckley (son in law) |
Children | Henry William |
Profession | politician, merchant |
Sir William Fitzherbert
Early life
Fitzherbert was born in Dorset, England, on 15 August 1810. He was educated at Sherborne and studied medicine in Paris and London.[1] Late in 1840 or early 1841 he married Sarah Jane Leigh in London. They came to New Zealand in 1841, settling in Wellington.[2]
They later moved to Willow Bank a house in Lower Hutt and entertained parliamentarians there (which may account for the street's name of "Parliament Street"). The house now has a Historic Places Trust "C" classification.[3]
Political career
He was elected an Alderman in the first council election ever held in Wellington in 1842.[4]
Member of Parliament
Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1855–1858 | 2nd | Town of Wellington | Independent | ||
1858–1860 | 2nd | Hutt | Independent | ||
1860–1866 | 3rd | Hutt | Independent | ||
1866–1870 | 4th | Hutt | Independent | ||
1871–1875 | 5th | Hutt | Independent | ||
1875–1879 | 6th | Hutt | Independent |
He soon became active in politics, serving both on the Wellington Provincial Council and in the New Zealand Parliament. He was elected to the Wellington Provincial Council for the City of Wellington division at the 1853 New Zealand provincial elections. He was elected to the 2nd Parliament as a representative of the City of Wellington electorate, but resigned part way through the term to successfully seek election as representative for the Hutt electorate, which happened on 31 July 1858. He contested the general election on 29 December 1875 against William Hutchison and obtained 178 votes, with Hutchison receiving 38.[5] He retained the Hutt electorate until his resignation in 1879, so that he could appointed to the Legislative Council. He also served as Colonial Treasurer (Minister of Finance) for the duration of Frederick Weld's premiership.[6][7]
His younger son Henry represented the Hutt electorate from 1884–90.[6][8] His other son, William, later became Mayor of Lower Hutt.[9][10]
Wellington Province
Fitzherbert was
Speaker of the House
He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1876 until his appointment to the Legislative Council, and then as Speaker of the Legislative Council until his death.[7]
He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1877.[7]
Death
Fitzherbert died on 6 February 1891 at his residence in Lower Hutt. He was buried at Lower Hutt cemetery on 10 February next to his late wife, who had died on 21 August 1886.[8]
He was survived by his daughter and two sons; William Alfred Fitzherbert) (mayor) and Henry Samuel Fitzherbert (MP). His only daughter Alice Jane married Sir Patrick Buckley in 1869.[7]
Memorials
There are several streets in Wainuiomata bearing his name. The peak of the Eastern Hills dividing Naenae and Wainuiomata and its television relay mast is named Mount Fitzherbert.
Notable descendents
- Henry Samuel Fitzherbert, son, member of parliament[12][13]
- Mihi Edwards, great-granddaughter, writer, social worker, teacher and kaumātua[14][15]
References
- ^ "The Sherborne Register 1550–1950" (PDF). Old Shirbirnian Society. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- ^ Hamer, David. "Fitzherbert, William". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ISBN 0-473-00523-9.
- ^ "Borough of Wellington". New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator. Vol. III, no. 182. 5 October 1842. p. 2.
- ^ "The Hutt Election". The Evening Post. Vol. XII, no. 154. 30 December 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ OCLC 154283103.
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Keith Kennedy (23 April 2009). "Fitzherbert, Sir William, K.C.M.G." An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Obituary". The Evening Post. Vol. XLI, no. 33. 9 February 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ Platts, Una (1980). "Fitzherbert, William Alfred 1843–1906". Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook. Christchurch: Avon Fine Prints.
- ^ Cyclopedia Company Limited (1897). "General". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Wellington Provincial District. Wellington.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Aokautere". OurRegion Manawatu. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- OCLC 154283103.
- ^ "Obituary". The Evening Post. Vol. XLI, no. 33. 9 February 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ "Interview with Mihipeka Edwards". National Library of New Zealand. 20 October 1991. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ISBN 9789042014299. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
External links
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