DEATH OF MR. JOHN FITT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13699, 16 March 1908, Page 6

DEATH OF MR. JOHN FITT.

Mr. John" Fitt, formerly Mayor of Parnell, passed' away at his residence in Campbell Terrace yesterday morning, after an illness extending over some three or four months. The deceased gentleman, who was 63 years of age, was born in Parnell in 1845, where he had resided practically all his life. He was a son of Mr. John Fitt, who came here from Australia in the year named. Deceased was educated at the local public schools and privately. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the joinery trade. Later he visited New South' Wales, and two years subsequently returned to New Zealand, and worked on the Thames goldtields. On again returning to Auckland, he spent four years in learning the soap trade, and in 1874 entered into partnership with Mr. C. Wood, in a business established at Hobson Bay. ihe late Mr. Fitt was first elected to the Parnell Borough Council in September, 1895, being returned at the head of the poll by a large majority. When he resigned the Mayoralty of the borough in 1906. he had held the office continuously for four years, on each successive occasion securing a larger number of votes. He was a strong advocate of drainage and water schemes, and always held that public affairs should be dealt with as though they were a man's business concerns. Mr. Fitt served in the New Zealand militia, and belonged to the first Court of Foresters opened in Auckland. At the time of his death he was an honorary member of the Oddfellows. He had been closely identified with Parnell for some years, and was highly esteemed, both in his public and private capacity. He represented the borough on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for some time. When he first took office as Mayor, the affairs of the borough were in a very critical state financially, and he succeeded in extricating the Council from its difficulties, and putting it 0.1 a proper working basis. During his term the drainage system of Parneil was completed, and an improved sanitary service was inaugurated. The late Mr. Fitt was a man of sterling integrity, possessing also a determination which to some degree accounted for his success as a business man and in public life. He was one ol the oldest identities of the borough of P urn ell, if not the oldest. Mr. Fitt remained in business until his illness laid him aside. Deceased leaves a widow, three daughters, and two sons, the elder of whom, Mr. Frank Fitt, is a member of the Parnell Borough Council. The funeral will leave deceased's late residence at half-past two o'clock to-morrow afternoon for Svinondsstreet cemetery.