SIR WILLIAM FITZHERBERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 10

SIR WILLIAM FITZHERBERT.

f[Ui WILLIAM FITZHERBEKT, K.C.M.G., the son of a clergyman, was born at lloughton in Dorsetshire on I April 10, 1810. Educated at Merchant Tailors' School, he proceeded to Queen's College, Cambridge, and there took his degree of M.A. He then entered the profession of Medicine, becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, and commenced practice in London. In 1842 he emigrated to Wellington in the Lady Leigh, which he had bought for trading purposes in the new country. Though his medical advice was frequently sought and given, he now abandoned the active practice of his profession and devoted himself to mercantile and whaling pursuits. From the first he took a warm and active interest in the political movement of the young colony, and was one of the bright band who never ceased their efforts to procure self-government for the country. This procured, Dr. Fitzherbert became the first Provincial Treasurer and Secretary of the Wellington Province, and afterwards its Superintendent. For years his name was on the roll of the House of Representatives, and in 1564 he was Treasurer in Mr. Wild's Ministry. Due to his great financial ability and the strong opinions he held on the point, he was in 1867 deputed to visit the Home country and there settle the claim of three-quarters of a million made by the Imperial authorities against the colony for the troops and the manifold expenses incurred in the Native war. Dr. Fitzherbert inflexibly contended that these were unfairly charged. So successfully did he hold this opinion that in the end the Imperial Government withdrew their huge demand. He also succeeded in consolidating the various colonial and provincial loans. He fought, but unsuccessfully, against Sir J. Yogel's Abolition of Provinces Bill. In 1876 he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, and in 1879 the further honour of Speaker of the Legislative Council was conferred upon him. He was knighted in 1877. He died at Wellington on February 7, 1891, in his eightieth year. Sir William was ready and powerful in debate, and his education, eminent business qualities, and integrity specially fitted him as one to undertake and carry through many measures which proved of great benefit to the colony.