OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 237, 7 October 1930, Page 19

OBITUARY.

DR. FREDERICK FITCHETT. FORMER PUBLIC TRUSTEE. A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. One who liad a distinguished career in New Zealand, Dr. Frederick: Fitchett, C.M.G., LL.D., former Solicitor-General, and also Public Trustee, died on Sunday after a short illness, chough Ms health had been failing for some time. He was born at Graritham, in Lincolnshire, m 1851. His father was a minister of the Methodist Church, who, with his wife and three sons, went to Australia m 1554. where he died while still a young man.' leaving a family of six boys and one girl. Dr. Fitchett received his early education in Melbourne and started life as a sailor before the mast. After arriving in New Zealand he continued Ins studies at Canterbury College. He rained the Boweu Prize for English at Dunedin in IS7O, and a senior scholarship in Latin in 1878, taking another in Greek the next year. He took hia B.A. degree in 1879 and his M.A. in IS3O, with first-class honours in political science. Afterwards Dr. Fitchett took Ms LL.B. degree, and in ISS7 added the degree LL.D. Dr. Fitchett was admitted to the Bar, in 1831, and joined in partnership with Mr. Thornton. He was elected a member of the Senate of the New Zealand University, which seat he held until 1934. In 1887 Dr. Fitchett was elected to the House of Representatives for Dunedin Central in the Liberal interest, and was made Opposition whip. He did not seek re-election, although he had a perfectly safe seat. In 1900 Dr.

Fitchett was appointed Law Draftsman and Crown Law Officer, and a year later was made Solicitor-General, when, in company with the late Sir Robert Stout and "Mr. W. S. Eeid, he accomplished the great task of consolidating the statutes. In 1910 Dr. Fitchett was appointed Public Trustee, retiring in 1917. During his term of office he saw the number of estates , under his guardianship grow from 5500, valued at about £7.000,000. to 14.000, valued at over £15,000.000. In 1907, Dr. Fitchett represented New Zealand in London at the French, British and Colonial Conference on the control of the New Hebrides. In 1909, as Solicitor-General, he accompanied the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, to London in connection with the Webster land claim. He was created a Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. '.icorge in 1911, an honour which was also conferred more recently on his brotb'er, the late Dean A. E. Fitchett. A jiidgeship was once offered Dr. Fitchett, but he declined it. After his retirement from the public service Dr. Fitchett came to Auckland 12 years ago, and was a member of the firm of Xapier, Fitchett and Eees. When Mr. W. J. Napier died, Mr. J. H. Luxford was taken into partnership, but resigned when he was elevated to the Bench, he being now Chief Justice of Western Samoa. Dr. Fitchett married Miss L. V. Blain, daughter of the late Mr. William Blain. He is survived by Mrs. Fitchett and one son, Mr. T."„ Fitchett, of Wellington. DR. J. F. CAROLATf. An old and respected member of the medical profession, Dr. J. F. Carolan, died at his residence, Hunter Street, Hamilton, on October 4, after a short illness. The New Zealand medical register shows Dr. Carolan as having qualified at the Royal College of Surgeone in 1872, and he ranked as the senior medical practitioner in New Zealand. Of Irish parentage, Dr. Carolan was 'born in Surrey in 1851, and studied at St. Mary's Hospital, London. He arrived in New Zealand in 18S5 and lived in several parts of the Auckland Province and for many years practised at Matamata. About six i years ago he retired from active practice and eettled at Hamilton. Dr. Carolan took a keen interest in military matters, being gazetted as eur-geon-captain to the Waiuku Cavaljy in IS9O, and later being medical officer to the Otamatea and Seddon Horse (Auckland) Mounted Rifles till the formation of the New Zealand Medical Corps, from which he was retired with the rank, of lieut.-colonel and the Victoria officers' long-service medal. He was honorary medical officer to the Bang's Empire Veterans' Association During the war Dr. Carolan was appointed examining officer for the Matamata district and passed many men for active service. He was also a member of the Pensions Board. Dr. Carolan was a past master of the Masonic Lodge Prince of Wales and was made a justice of the peace in 1903. He was also a member of the Good Templars Friendly Society. He is survived (by Mrs. Carolan and four sons. MR. CAMPBELL JOHNSTONE. The funeral of Mr. Campbell Johnstone on Sunday was the largest seen in Hamilton for many years. Over 100 cars followed the hearse, and many more joined the cortege en route to the cemetery. So many floral tributes had been forwarded that it took a special car to carry them. The Auckland Harbour Board was represented by Mr. M. H. Wynward, chairman, Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, deputy-chairman, Mr. H. B. Burnett, superintendent, Mr. A. E. Greeaislade and Mr. A. M. Laing. Among those present were Messrs. J. A. Young and W. Lee Martin, MJP/s, the chairmen of all the neighbouring county councils, I representatives of the Highways Board and the Waikato Hospital Board. The service at the house and at the graveside was conducted by the : Rev. R. T. Boyt, of St.'' George's Church, ' Frankton.