F. M. B. Fisher: A Notable Figure

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 5

F. M. B. Fisher: A Notable Figure

WHEN Mr Francis Marion Bates Fisher died at his ■ home at Rotorua last week, New ' Zealand lost one of its oldest and best-known tennis personalities. ' “F.M.8.,” as he was widely ■ known, was a big man, in frame as well as mind, and his exploits ! as a politician, soldier, and ’ sportsman will long be remem- ■ bered. Athlete ’ His talents were not confined . solely to tennis; he represented ■ Canterbury at athletics and foot- ; ball. But it was as a tennis player ■ that he really made his mark as ; a sportsman. He started winning . national titles in 1899, and hardly

a season went by without his taking either some singles or doubles championships. In 1906-7 he was runner-up in the Australasian tennis championship singles and six years later, while a Minister of the Crown, he captained the New Zealand tennis team against Britain. This was indeed a notable achievement, but “F.M.8.” continued to reach greater heights in tennis. In 1914, after a colourful and most spectacular career in Parliament, he went to London, where he became director of the Imperial Commercial Association. He played tennis in England and on the Continent, won the doubles titles of Czechoslovakia' and Egypt, and was a finalist in the doubles at Wimbledon. He also represented New Zealand in the Davis Cup at Prague in 1924. At this stage his athletic ability and outstanding personality, claimed the attention of the’ Baroness Wavertree, of Delemere, whose tennis parties were always magnificent social spectacles, invariably attended by royalty. Mr

Fisher was invited to fhese parties and there he played many of the stars of the American and European tennis worlds. In 1947 Mr Fisher married Lady Wavertree in Sydney. Altogether, from 1918 onwards, Mr Fisher is said to have won more than 50' British and European championships. He soon became as well known in Paris tennis circles as he was in London.

In England Mr Fisher continued with his political career and three times he unsuccessfully contested seats in the House of Commons. On his return to New Zealand Mr Fisher settled with Lady Wavertree in Ngongotaha, on Lake Rotorua, where his wife died. When he was 80, Mr Fisher married Mme. Mireille Boyer, of Noumea. He was married four times.