William Fitzherbert (New Zealand politician)
| The Honourable Sir William Fitzherbert KCMG | |
|---|---|
 Seated portrait of Sir William Fitzherbert | |
| 5th Speaker of the Legislative Council | |
|
In office 1879–1887 | |
| Preceded by | John Richardson |
| Succeeded by | George Waterhouse |
|
In office 1887–1891 | |
| Preceded by | George Waterhouse |
| Succeeded by | Harry Atkinson |
| 4th Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
|
In office 1876–1879 | |
| Preceded by | Dillon Bell |
| Succeeded by | Maurice O'Rorke |
| 8th Colonial Treasurer | |
|
In office 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 | |
| Prime Minister | Frederick Weld |
| Preceded by | Reader Wood |
| Succeeded by | Edward Stafford |
|
In office 24 August 1866 – 28 June 1869 | |
| Prime Minister | Edward Stafford |
| Preceded by | Francis Jollie |
| Succeeded by | Julius Vogel |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Hutt | |
|
In office 1858–1879 Serving with Isaac Featherston Charles Clifford | |
| Preceded by |
Alfred Renall Alfred Ludlam |
| Succeeded by | Henry Jackson |
| 2nd Superintendent of Wellington Province | |
|
In office 28 April 1871 – 1 January 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Featherston |
| Succeeded by | None (office abolished) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 August 1810 Dorset England |
| Died |
6 February 1891 (aged 80) Lower Hutt New Zealand |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Jane Leigh |
| Relations | Patrick Buckley (son in law) |
| Children |
Henry William |
| Profession | politician, merchant |
Sir William Fitzherbert KCMG (15 August 1810 – 6 February 1891) was a New Zealand politician. He served as Minister of Finance, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speaker of the Legislative Council.
Early life
Fitzherbert was born in Dorset, England, on 15 August 1810, and studied medicine in Paris and London. Late in 1840 or early 1841 he married Sarah Jane Leigh in London. They came to New Zealand in 1841, settling in Wellington.[1]
Political career
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1855–1858 | 2nd | Town of Wellington | Independent | |
| 1858–1860 | 2nd | Hutt | Independent | |
| 1860–1866 | 3rd | Hutt | Independent | |
| 1866–1870 | 4th | Hutt | Independent | |
| 1871–1875 | 5th | Hutt | Independent | |
| 1875–1879 | 6th | Hutt | Independent | |
He soon became active in politics, serving both on the Wellington Provincial Council and in the New Zealand Parliament. He was elected to the 2nd Parliament as a representative of the City of Wellington electorate, but resigned part way through the term to successfully seek election as representative for the Hutt electorate, which happened on 31 July 1858. He contested the general election on 29 December 1875 against William Hutchison and obtained 178 votes, with Hutchison receiving 38.[2] He retained the Hutt electorate until his resignation in 1879, so that he could appointed to the Legislative Council. He also served as Colonial Treasurer (Minister of Finance) for the duration of Frederick Weld's premiership.[3][4]
His son Henry represented the Hutt electorate from 1884–90.[3][5] His other son, William, later became Mayor of Lower Hutt.[6][7]
Wellington Province
Fitzherbert was Superintendent of the Wellington Province from 1871 until the abolition of the provinces in 1876. The Palmerston North suburb of Aokautere was once named after Fitzherbert, as he had promoted settlement of the Manawatu. The Fitzherbert East Dairy Factory building still carries the name these days.[8]
Speaker of the House
He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1876 until his appointment to the Legislative Council, and then as Speaker of the Legislative Council until his death.[4]
He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1877.[4]
Death
Fitzherbert died on 6 February 1891 at his residence in Lower Hutt. He was buried at Lower Hutt cemetery on 10 February next to his late wife, who had died on 21 August 1886.[5]
He was survived by his two sons (one of whom was William Alfred Fitzherbert) and his daughter Alice Jane, who married Sir Patrick Buckley.[4]
Memorials
There are several streets in Wainuiomata bearing his name. The peak of the Eastern Hills dividing Naenae and Wainuiomata and its television relay mast is named Mount Fitzherbert.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Fitzherbert. |
References
- ↑ Hamer, David. "Fitzherbert, William". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ↑ "The Hutt Election". The Evening Post. XII (154). 30 December 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- 1 2 Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
- 1 2 3 4 Campbell, Keith Kennedy (23 April 2009). "Fitzherbert, Sir William, K.C.M.G.". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- 1 2 "Obituary". The Evening Post. XLI (33). 9 February 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ Platts, Una (1980). "Fitzherbert, William Alfred 1843–1906". Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook. Christchurch: Avon Fine Prints. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Cyclopedia Company Limited (1897). "General". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Wellington Provincial District. Wellington. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ↑ "Aokautere". OurRegion Manawatu. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Reader Wood |
Colonial Treasurer 1864–1865 |
Succeeded by Edward Stafford |
| Preceded by Isaac Featherston |
Superintendent of Wellington Province 1871–1876 |
Provincial Councils abolished |
| Preceded by Dillon Bell |
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives 1876–1879 |
Succeeded by Maurice O'Rorke |
| Preceded by John Richardson |
Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council 1879–1887 1887–1891 |
Succeeded by George Waterhouse |
| Preceded by George Waterhouse |
Succeeded by Harry Atkinson | |
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
| Preceded by Robert Hart James Kelham |
Member of Parliament for Wellington 1855–1858 Served alongside: Isaac Featherston, Charles Clifford |
Succeeded by William Barnard Rhodes |
| Preceded by Dillon Bell Samuel Revans |
Member of Parliament for Hutt 1858–1879 Served alongside: Alfred Renall, Alfred Ludlam |
Succeeded by Henry Jackson |