COMPTROLLER OP PUBLIC REVENUES

Colonist, Volume X, Issue X, 12 February 1867, Page 7

COMPTROLLER OP PUBLIC REVENUES

(From the Wellington Advertiser.)

Mb. James Edwakd FitzGerald, who for so many years has been a prominent combatant in the political arena of New Zealand, has retired from public

life and accepted the office of Comptroller of Public Kevenues, instituted by the Ministry of which he, was a member in 1865.

Mr. FitzGerald addressed a letter to his constituents on the 3rd inst., announcing the fact that he had forwarded his resignation,to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, having been instigated to do so by the state of his health. He arrived in town with his family on Monday The Lyttekon Times, the opposition journal to the Press, of which Mr. FitzGerald is proprietor, renders the following courteous tribute to the abilities of the new Comptroller : — A letter appears in our columns of yesterday from Mr. FitzG-erald, intimating his resignation of his seat as a member for Christchurch in the General Assembly. At the same time he announces his retirement from political life, and his acceptance of the permanent and non-political office of the Comptrollership of Public Revenues. So far as his retirement from politics is concerned, the public will regard it with universal regret. And none will feel this more than those who have enjoyed intercourse with him in the arena of politics, whether as friends or opponents. But the state of his health had for a considerable time back made it apparent that some change was absolutely necessary. And if the step, he has taken be conducive to his comfort, it will be a ground of satisfaction to all who know him. No man connected with Canterbury, we might say ■with New Zealand, has been more prominently before the public eye, or exercised a wider influence on public affairs. And assuredly no one has maintained a higher character for all that is upright, honorable and chivalrous than Mr. FitzGerald. He has sometimes stood alone in his opinions, and has perhaps, more frequently stood on the side of the minority than of the majority in political strife. But his speeches were always listened to with interest, both from the weight of his authority, and the brilliancy of his eloquence. Often spoken of, both in jest and earnest, as the first orator in New Zealand, he seldom, if ever, disappointed the expectations of his friends, or of the strangers who were attracted by curiosity to hear him. The private character of Mr. FitzG-erald is beyond the limit of our remarks. But it is permisSable to say that it presents no grounds for secret_ reproaches, and requires the exercise of no reticence in public. We have often had occasion to oppose him both in matters of provincial and colonial politics, but we can heartily apply to him, on the limited field of New Zealand partizanship the expression once used by Sir Robert Peel in regard to Lord Palmerston. We have usually differed from him in opinion, and have often

regained his policy with suspicion, but we can join with our fellow-colonists in saying " We are all proud of him." After all, Mr. FitzGerald will not be wholly lost to Canterbury by his removal. He only, goes to Wellington. .