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(1891-02-06) (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

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 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.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Fitzherbert.

References