SIR W. FITZHERBERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5499, 2 July 1879, Page 5

SIR W. FITZHERBERT.

[by telegraph, press association.] Christchurch, Tuesday. The Press says The resignation at the same time of the Speaker and AttorneyGeneral can hardly be passed over. The retirement of Sir William Fitzherbert is a fitting sequel to a career which, for length, can hardly be surpassed. He has been concerned in public matters for thirty years, with signal disadvantage to New Zealand. A Colonial Treasurer, distinguished for indolence, verbosity, and obscurity, he laid snares for the Superintendent in financial matters in 1577, with a view to undermining Provincial institutions. Sir William Fitzherbert having made it a leading feature that the loans should be converted without colonial liability, deliberately reversed the policy. He then showed the reason that a man should go to JSogland to superintend the conversion and consolidation of the loan, and why not the Colonial Treasurer. Mr. Fitz # herbeit happened to be Colonial Treasurer at the time, aud got two years' holiday, full pay, and handsome allowance, while the actual work was done by the Crown Agents on commission ; also he secured the order of St. Michael and St. George. On his return lie found he was largely out of pocket, and got £2000. When, however, the Fox Ministry came in, our anti-Provincial Treasurer became Superintendent of Wellington, opposing abolition. Those the gods love die young, and there must be at an in« ferior power taking care of those who have grown old in doing evil, and may be expected to do. His next refuge was the Speakership ; in the display of an utter ignorance of standing orders, or of the conduct of the business of the House, the new Speaker was equally distinguished. has done no honour to any public position. He has not cared a straw for the interest of the colony. In conferring upon him the Presidency of the Legislative Council, Ministers have cast a great and undeserved insult on that body, which numbers in its ranks many men of honour, experience and ability. It is a public scandal that they should have been passed over to appoint such as Sir W. Fitzherbert."