Frederick Fitchett

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Frederick Fitchett
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Dunedin Central
In office
1887–1890
Preceded byThomas Bracken
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Solicitor-General of New Zealand
In office
1901–1910
Preceded byWalter Scott Reid
Succeeded byJohn Salmond
New Zealand Public Trustee
In office
1910–1917
Preceded byJoseph William Poynton[1]
Succeeded byRobert Triggs[2]
Personal details
Born1851
Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
Died (aged 79)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyIndependent
Spouse
Lina Valerie Blain
(m. 1890)
ProfessionBarrister

Frederick Fitchett CMG (1851 – 5 October 1930) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from Dunedin, New Zealand.

Biography[edit]

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1887–1890 10th Dunedin Central Independent

Born in 1851 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England,[3] Fitchett was educated at the University of Melbourne and Canterbury University College, Christchurch, graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1879 and Master of Arts in 1880.[4][5] He was admitted to the Bar the following year, and began practising law in Dunedin. In 1887 he was conferred with an LLD from Canterbury.[5]

Fitchett represented the Dunedin Central electorate from 1887 to 1890, when he retired.[6] In 1890 he was the junior opposition whip.[7] In 1890 Fitchett visited London, where he married Lina Valerie Blain at St Simon's Church, Cadogan Square, on 16 April.[8] The couple had one son.[3]

In 1895 Fitchett was appointed as the parliamentary draughtsman and assistant Crown law officer.[4] He served as solicitor-general from 1901 to 1910,[1] and represented New Zealand at the 1907 conference of French, British and colonial representatives that considered the New Hebrides question.[4] He was appointed public trustee in 1910,[1] and remained in that role until his retirement in 1917.[1][9] In the 1911 Coronation Honours Fitchett was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[10]

Fitchett was a member of the senate of the University of New Zealand from 1883 until 1915.[1][4] He died in Auckland on 5 October 1930,[11] and his ashes were buried at Waikumete Cemetery.[12]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "The public service: some important changes". The Press. 1 February 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  2. ^ "New department heads". Evening Post. 26 September 1917. p. 8. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Crown law office". Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Wellington Provincial District). Wellington: Cyclopedia Company. 1897. p. 136. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Dr Frederick Fitchett". Otago Daily Times. 6 October 1930. p. 8. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. ^ a b "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: F". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  6. ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 196.
  7. ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 279.
  8. ^ "Our London letter". "Evening Star. 28 May 1890. p. 2. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  9. ^ "The public trustee". Southland Times. 1 October 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. ^ "No. 28505". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 June 1911. p. 4594.
  11. ^ "Deaths". New Zealand Herald. 6 October 1930. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Cemetery search details". Auckland Council. Retrieved 31 January 2017.

References[edit]

  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840-1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Dunedin Central
1887–1890
In abeyance
Title next held by
John A. Millar