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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Personal Volume

Fitzgerald's Early History

page 3

Fitzgerald's Early History.

To-night I wish to speak of one who at the opening of the first Parliament of New Zealand was recognised as the ablest man in the Parliament—James Edward Fitzgerald. He was the youngest son, by his second marriage, of Gerald Fitzgerald, of Kilminchy in Queen's County, and of Catherine, daughter of Sir L. O'Brien. Baronet, of Drumoland, County Clare. At a speech which he made at the O'Connell Centenary in Wellington, he said:—"I am an Irishman, who was born in the town of Bath. England," and he went on to explain that the mere place of birth could not affect his nationality. He was horn on March 4th, 1818, was educated from 1839 to 1842 at the Cambridge University, being a student at Christ's College. Here he met many men who afterwards had distinguished careers in England. His intention was to adopt the military profession, and he prepared to qualify himself for service in the Royal Engineers. Unfortunately, perhaps through over-study, his eyesight failed him, and he had to give up his work. He undertook one or two walking tours through Scotland and Ireland, and during these tours he became acquainted with what is often termed the " common people." During these tours he had an opportunity of doing what he always delighted in—indulging his artistic sense. He made many sketches, for he was an artist, but what was of more value to him than a knowledge of the scenery and the beauties of his ancestral country, he became acquainted with the people. His appreciation of humour and wit was much gratified, as he has often told me, by his journeyings in what may be termed his native land—Ireland. The quant remarks of his countrymen often enlivened his travels, and it was always interesting to listen to the excellent stories he could tell of these journeys.

He left the University in 1842, and in 1844 he joined the British Museum as a clerk. He was placed in the Antiquities Department. Two or three years later he was promoted to the position of Under-Secretary, and was recognised as one of the ablest men of the British Museum staff. Whilst at the museum he had taken part in a debating society in London, which was attended by many distinguished men He had also become, shall I say, to use the words of the late Mr Rolleston, "infected with the colonial microbe," and ho looked to colonisation as one of the ways of saving England. He was one of those who formed a society in London entitled the Society for the Reform of Colonial Government. Of this society He was secretary. Its object was to force upon the British Parliament and people the need of colonisation, and the need of the Government passing such measures as would enable the schemes of the society to be carried out. It was an uphill battle. The British people were not improved with the need of colonisation, and it is marvellous when their apathy and indifference is considered that so many colonies were preserved to the British Empire. If it had not been for the efforts of a few farseeing and able men in Britain and Ireland I doubt if either Australia or New Zealand would have been settled by British people. The British people lost the Argentine through their indifference to its value, and they would have also lost these southern colonies had it not been for the efforts of such men as Fitzgerald. We have now what is termed the imperialistic feeling that was so sadly wanting from 1830 to 1850, but it was private associations that practically forced the Hand of the British Government so that colonisation took place. We are all aware that the New Zealand Company had gnat difficulties in carrying out its scheme and that it got into financial strats which at one time threatened the very existence of New Zealand as a sphere for British colonisation. Fitzgerad, with all the enthusiasm of his race, threw in his lot with those who formed the Colonial Reform party. He wrote and spoke strongly in favour of Government assistance, and thus he became acquainted with such men as God ley, Selfe, Lord Lyttelton, and other leaders of the movement. Godley lad urged a plan of colonisation by the Irish peasants, and he proposed that a large area in Canada should be set aside for them; and who knows but that, if God ley's scheme had been [unclear: arried] out, it would not have been letter both for Ireland and the Empire?

In 1847 Fitzgerald issued a circular in favour of founding a colony in British Columbia at Vancouver Island. This was opposed to the ideas of the Ministers of the Crown, for they had proposed to hand the island over to the Hudson Bay Company. In making this page 4 suggestion, therefore, Fitzgerald was fighting a wealthy corporation. In 1849 he published a book examining critically the charters of the Hudson Bay Company, and showing that they had no right to make any claim to Vancouver Island. This was the last of his struggles for the formation of British Columbia as a colony. He had written many pamphlets, and delivered many speeches on the question, and the effect of his writings had been that the Hudson Bay Company did not obtain the control they sought: in fact, it was recognised that his examination of their charters had shown that they had obtained more power and more territory than they could legally or morally claim. The effect of his book was such that it was said in London that "he had killed the Hudson Bay Company." The foundation of a colony at Vancouver could not, however, be undertaken, and other territory was looked for. One suggestion was that India might be made the home of British colonists. Robert Fitzgerald, his brother, a captain in the Fifth Punjaub Cavalry, strongly dissuaded him from taking up the plan. New Zealand was then thought of, and the Canterbury Association was formed. Fitzgerald became a member of the managing committee, and when Godley set out for New Zealand in December, 1849. Fitzgerald was chosen to succeed him as Emigration Agent in London for the new settlement, and he continued to hold that office until the first four ships sailed for Canterbury, he himself sailing on the 7th of September. 1850, in the Charlotte Jane. In this year he had married Miss Fanny Erskine Draper, daughter of George Draper, merchant, London, and his wife accompanied him to New Zealand. All who had the pleasure of knowing Mrs Fitzgerald knew that she was an able, highly educated woman, and a great helpmate to him in his colonial life.

On the voyage out Fitzgerald was, I have been told, the soul of the ship; he entered into the amusements on shipboard, instigated fun and frolic, and encouraged the new settlers, firing them with hope and ambition for the life which they were going to undertake. He wrote a poem on board the Charlotte Jane, which I shall quote, as it shows the hopes that animated the early Canterbury settlers:—

The Night-watch Song of the "Charlotte Jane."
'Tis the first watch of the night, brothers.
And the strong wind rides the deep;
And the cold stars shining bright, brothers.
Their mystic courses keep.
Whilst our ship her path is cleaving
The flashing waters through,
Here's a health to the land we're leaving,
And the land we're going to.

First sadly bow the head, brothers,
In silence o'er the wine,
To the memory of the dead, brothers,
The fathers of our line—
Though their tombs may not receive us,
Far o'er the ocean blue,
Their spirits ne'er shall leave us.
In the land we're going to.

Whilst yet sad memories move us.
A second cup we'll drain
To the manly hearts that love us
In our old homes o'er the main—
Fond arms that, used to caress us,
Sweet smiles from eyes of blue,
Lips which no more may bless us,
In the land we're going to.

But away with sorrow now, brothers,
Fill the wine cup to the brim!
Here's to all who'll swear the vow, brothers,
Of this our midnight hymn:—
That each man shall be a brother.
Who has joined our gallant crew;
That we'll stand by one another
In the land we're going to!

Fill again, before we part, brothers,
Fill the deepest draught of all.
To the loved ones of our hearts, brothers,
Who reward and share our toil—
From husbands and from brothers.
All honour be their due,—
The noble maids and mothers
Of the land we're going to!

The wine is at an end, brothers.
But ere we close our eyes.
Let a silent prayer ascend, brothers.
For our gallant enterprise.
Should our toil be all unblest, brothers,
Should ill winds of fortune blow,
May we find God's haven of rest, brothers,
In the land we're going to.