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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Legal — Mr. Francis Dart Fenton,

Legal.

Mr. Francis Dart Fenton, sometime Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, was descended from a very old and distinguished Yorkshire family, and his father. Mr. Francis Fenton, was a solicitor in London. He received his education at the Sheffield Collegiate School, and was afterwards placed in the office of an uncle at Huddersfield. Mr. Fenton arrived in Auckland about 1850, in company with the late Mr. James Armitage, who was afterwards appointed resident magistrate for Waikato, and was shot by the natives whilst he was passing down the river in a canoe. Mr. Fenton was appointed resident magistrate at Kaipara by Sir George Grey in 1852, and subsequently became Assistant Government Law Officer, before Responsible Government was established. In 1869 he was called to the Legislative Council, but ceased to be a member in 1871. He became Chief Judge of the Native Land Court and Senior Judge of the Compensation Court. During his term of office as Chief Judge of the Native Land Court he was also District Judge for Auckland, and held these appointments until December, 1882, when he retired upon a pension. Judge Fenton, who was considered to be one of the greatest authorities on Maori matters, was the author of a work concerning the Maori race.