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FAIRBURN, Edwin 1827–1911

Born in the Bay of Islands, son of W. T. Fairburn of the CMS. Was cadet under C. W. Ligar, Surveyor General of New Zealand. Went to Germany to complete education: studied languages and engineering; to Australia where he worked in the Deeds Registry Office, and then returned to New Zealand. Was engaged in laying out Oamaru and the Waikato. In 1877 worked in the Surveyor General's Department; was district surveyor in North Auckland. Retired 1892 and published papers on the Maori language, was a foundation member of the Auckland Choral Society, and studied art under Frank and Walter Wright. Exhibited with ASA 1882. A water-colour of Remuera, Auckland, is in AIML.