DEATH OF SIR W. FITZHERBERT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2161, 10 February 1891, Page 3

DEATH OF SIR W. FITZHERBERT.

Wellington, February T. Sir William Fi zberbert, K.G.M.G., died at bis residence al the Lower Uult, at 2.40 this afternoon. The deceased genllemm, who was in hia 83id year, goffered from Bright’s disease.

Id the death of Sir William Filzheibert New Z?a'and haa lost one more thread of its living history, and one more of the founders and builders of the colony. Nearly half a century ago, when New Zealand.wos almost a terra incognita to English folks, and when it was known chu fly as the land of the fierce and warlike Maori, Sir William Fi zierbert resolved to try his fortunes there, nod in 1841 sailed for the Southern Ocean. Ue was no nee ly adventurer seeking a wild land because civilisation was irksome, but stood high in the intellectual world of England. He was a Brown’s University medalist, a Fe'low of Queen’s College, Cambridge, an M.A. Cantab, IVT.D,, Koyal College of Physicians, London, and had practised for some time as a physician in Hanover Square, London. He was not the sort of man to go adventuring in foreign countries, one would think; yet, like one born to colonise, he gave up all the luxuries and pleasures that the first oily in the world could offer him, and suled to a new, wild country. He purchased the ship Lady Leigh, leaded it with goods useful lor trading, wha'ing, or settlement, and in 1842 reached Wellington. The spirit of colonisation had only just began to be felt in New Zealand. Three years before the first emigrant ship sent by the New Zealand Company had arrived in Wellington, and Colonel Wakefield had scarcely completed bis purchases of land from the Natives. The Treaty of Waitaogi had only been signed three years. INew Zealand as an independent colony was barely a year old, and Captain Hobson bad just entered on his duties as Governor of these islands, known then as New U ater, New Munster, and New Leinster, Governor Hobson was pleased to receive in bis new colony a man of such attainments as Sir William Fi zberberf. He placed him first on the list of New Zealand magistrates, and offered him a ee»t in the Legislative Council, which was then held at Auckland. The first offer was accepted and the latter one declined. Sir William Fitzherbert wished to devote himself to the body of the colony before he helped t v form i f s head, so he went in for trading and an owner of ships asd of whaling stations. Still the political vein was strong in him. He joined the Constitutional Association and was foremost in all measures for improving the legal status of the settlement. He became a member of the Wellington Provincial Council, Secretary and Treasurer to the Province, and Superintendent of Wellington, and so identified himself with the work of the province that ha soon became the leading figure in its Government. When in 1875 the Abolition of Provinces Act was brought before the House Sir William Filzheibert was its strongest opponent. He declaimed passionaUly and eloquently against the idea tf central Government, and some of bis speeches nre historical. Though in spite of Sir William’s opposition the Provinces were abolished and a central Government established, Sir William did not rs'ire from the field of politics. He was elected as member of the House of Representaiives for Wellington city, and he'd that position for many years, only varying hie part in the province by representing towards the latter part of this peiiod Hie Hutt district instead of Wellington city. Ta 1864 be became Colonial Treasurer coder the Weld Ministiy, and about that time he began to show in a marked minner his deep and sincere internet in his

provinca and in the co'ony; He look a leading part in (he efforts required to remove the seat of Government from Auckland to Wellington, and when that was accomplished lie p -iformen one of the greatest undertakings with which bis name is associated. Almost at the moment of Sir William Fitzherbej-t’s arrival in New Zealand the troubles with the Natives began, and the terrible war between Maori and Pakeba commenced, which obstructed settlement for many years, and saddled the country with a debt, incurred by the employment of British troops for the suppression of the Maoris. Sir William Filzhprbert, as Colonial Treusurer, was sent to England to treat with the British Government reg-rding the debt, and was successful in his mission. Whilst engaged in this business Sir Vviltam i-Iho arranged for, the consol - cUuoa of the various loans New Zealand

had borrowed. In 1876 Sir William was elected Speaker of th« House of Representatives, a position ho held for two years, when he was appointed to the Speakership of the Legislative Council, which position he held until just before the luie session of Parliament, when he tesignsd.— Press.