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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. William FitzGerald
Mr. William FitzGerald,
who represented Thorndon Ward from September, 1883, to September, 1886, was the eldest son of Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, C.M.G., the Controller and Auditor-General. He was born in Cashel Street, Christchurch, on the 12th of October, and was educated at Christ's College Grammar School. While studying the law he was for some time secretary to the late Sir. George Arney. Soon after attaining his majority he was admitted
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a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, and began to practise his profession in Wellington. For a while Mr. FitzGerald conducted business solely, but in 1882 he joined Mr. Martin Chapman, under the style of Chapman and Fitzgerald. Prior to this both gentlemen had made a name for themselves, so that at once the firm took a high position. Mr. Fitzgerald, associated with Mr. F. M. Ollivier and Mr. H. D. Bell, M.H.R., had undertaken the task of Law Reporting, pending the formation of a society for that purpose, and their reports were exceedingly valuable. When the Council of Law Reporting was established, Mr. FitzGerald was chosen for the important post of editor, and he acted in that capacity until his death which occurred on the 2nd of June, 1888, How he performed those arduous duties may be inferred from the “In Memoriam” notice which appeared in the next number of the Reports, which was couched in the following terms of affection:—“It will be seen from the title page to this number that a new editor has been appointed by the Council in the place of the late Mr. William FitzGerald. It is with the deepest regret that those who have been, during the last six years, associated with Mr. FitzGerald in the conduct of the New Zealand Law Reports, refer to his premature death. He held the onerous position of editor from the date of the first meeting of the Council in the year 1882, until his death on the 2nd of June, 1888; and with what zeal, ability and care he fulfilled his difficult duties, the now assured success of the reports, and the approval and satisfaction with which they have been received by the public and the profession will prove. his loss is felt, not alone by his friends, but also by the wider circle of those who knew him only through his work in the published volume of our Reports, In his last hours he spoke of his part in the Reports as the chief work of his life, and expressed the hope that his connection with them might not be wholly forgotten. It may well be said that the system of Law Reporting, which under his guidance, has now been firmly established in New Zealand, is the best and most enduring monument of his labours; but the Council of Law Reporting feel that some expression of the great and general sorrow with which the announcement of his death was received by members of the profession of the Law in the Colony, may not unfitly find a place among the pages of this volume, begun by him, and new to be completed by other hands.” The writer of this present notice was at the time the printer of the “Law Reports,” and he is glad of this opportunity after seven years of gratefully acknowledging the thousand and one little acts of kindness, which any editor can, and which Mr. FitzGerald most certainly did render his printer. “Every inch a gentleman” was the common wrdict of all who in any way came into contact with Mr. William FitzGerald. Quick and prompt himself in a remarkable degree, his patience with those whose abilities were so greatly inferior was equally noticeable. As a councillor, as in all other walks of life, he exerted an influence for good, of which a much older man might well have been prond. A rapid thinker, a clear and fluent speaker, bold but gentle, and, above all, honest Mr. FitzGerald was a man whose presence was always felt. Humanly speaking, it is impossible to estimate Wellington's loss by his death. Nor was the loss confined to Wellington. Mr. FitzGerald was a thorough-going New Zenlander. His influence among the young men of the Colony, in acquatic circles at any rate, was such as is very rarely met with. A local paper said of him:—“Mr. FitzGerald acquired a liberal education and a high standard of conduct under the sedulous care of his father, who is one of the most distinguished literati in the Colony; and he turned his endowments to the best account, not only for himself, but for all around him. Few men of his age have exercised the silent power of example more strongly than he did; and this was invariably the example of the gentle life, an uncompromising adherence to the path of honour and rectitude, a chivalrous unselfishness and modesty, combined with singular tenacity of purpose in all matters of principle, Mr. Fitzgerald was himself devoted to athletic exercises, and especially acquatic sports, and the good he did here by popularizing these manly recreations is incalculable. His own exploits as a boating man were very considerable, and for three years he was captain of the Star Boating Club. But in all these pursuits as in literature, and all else to which he devoted his healthy and cultivated mind, his aim was never to excel for his own glorification or gratification, but to lead others to excellence for their encouragement and improvement. Like all unselfish men he found an unfailing source of happiness in the happiness of his fellow creatures, and, in urging the young men of the place to seek their pleasure in physical endurance, in good company, and in friendly emulation and self-effacement for the sake of esprit de corps, he never lost sight of the supenor object of building up their moral character, fortifying their intellect and developing the best qualities of their heart. He was, we believe, of noble blood, but he possessed a much better distinction in that nobility of nature whose very impulse is noblesse oblige, and which stands a man in good stead when rank and titles are as naught,” The officers and members of the Star Boating Club showed their affection for their captain and friend by erecting a handsome marble monument over his grave, by most touching reference to his life and death in their annual report, and by the creation of “The FitzGerald Trophy.” The large gathering at the grave-side testified to the general respect entertained for him by all classes. The Tainui Cance Club, of which Mr. FitzGerald was the moving spirit, thus opens its annual report for the season of 1887–1888:—“In presenting their, report for the past year, the officers have with great regret to record the death of Mr. FitzGerald, who, for the first time since the formation of the club, will be absent from
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the annual meeting. Mr. FitzGerald was more than once our captain, and, whether in cruizing, racing, or recording the annals of the Club, was always foremost among us. His daring feat of paddling through the rapids of the Gorge of the Manawatu River in a paper canoe built for the voyage, will be in the recollection of many canoeists. The challenge cups for paddling and sailing were the gift of Mr. FitzGerald, who had previously won them at regattas at Wellington, and, when he died, he held them both, having won the sailing cup twice since he presented it, and the paddling cup thrice.” Further on in the report appear the names of the principal prize-winners at the regatta held three months before Mr. FitzGerald's death. The first prizes for champion paddling, champion sailing, sailing and paddling, manœuvring, and a series of three handicap paddling races were all won by Mr. Fitzgerald, who is also mentioned as the leader in a number of cruizing trips. His love of nature, and especially watery nature, was unbounded; but his high sense of duty and the important positions he held prevented undue indulgence in his favourite pastime. During the long vacation, however, he generally managed to get a fortnight in the Pelorus Sounds, or some equally quiet place, beyond the reach of letters and telegrams, that he might give himself up entirely to the pleasures of canceing and camping. Mr. FitzGerald married Miss Ella Smith, of New Plymouth, who died about a year after without offspring. His second marriage was with Miss Fanny Featherston, the fourth daughter of the late Dr. Featherston, referred to elsewhere as the first superintendent of the Province of Wellington. Mrs. FitzGerald was left with three young children and a host of sympathising friends.