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Ella Maria Stephenson-Smith

ELLA MARIA STEPHENSON SMITH was b: 7 Jan 1853 in Okoare, New Plymouth, and d: 24 Mar 1881 in Oriental Bay, Wellington aged 28Y; bur: Bolton Street Cem.; Wellington

Ella mar: 1878 to WILLIAM FITZGERALD, (b: 1854, son of AUDITOR-GENERAL J E FITZGERALD

4 Aug 1896 : THE LATE MR J. E. FITZGERALD. WELLINGTON, August 3. The Government Office, also those of the city corporation and of many private firms, were closed this afternoon as a mark of respect for the late Mr J. E Fitzgerald, and the flags on the shipping and buildings in the city were lowered to half-mast. The remains of the deceased gentleman were buried in Bolton Cemetery this afternoon.. The Bishop of Wellington officiated at the funeral service, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Stock and the Rev. Messrs Coffee, Sprott, and Tisdall. The pall-bearers were Mr J. C. Gavin (assistant Controller-general ) and the staff of the Audit office, and amongst the mourners were the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the Premier, the Minister for Education (Hon. W. C. Walker), and the-heads of the various Government departments. His Excellency the Governor was represented by Major Elliott (his private secretary) and Captain Campbell Preston (A.D.C.) The cortege was a very lengthy one, and included a large numbers of both Houses of Parliament, the mayor and councillors, clergymen of various denominations, besides a large number of citizens. The floral tributes were numerous, and were sent from all parts of the colony.

William's father, James Edward Fitzgerald, C.M.G., Controller and Auditor-General, died 2nd Aug 1896, was born at Bath it 1818, and arrived in Lyttelton in 1850, when he started the Lyttelton Times and edited it for two years. In 1852, he was chosen the first Superintendent for Canterbury provincial district, which office he held until 1857, when he returned to England as agent for the province. In 1860, Mr Fitzgerald re-entered Parliament, sitting for Akaroa, and in 1865 became Native Minister in the Weld administration. On his retiring from public life a year later, he was appointed Controller-General. In 1872 Commissioner of Audit, and in 1878 Controller and Auditor-General, which position he held until his death. He leaves a widow, three sons (two of whom have taken holy orders), and two daughters (Mrs W. H. Levin and Mrs Brandon, of Palmerston North).

Widower William Fitzgerald remarried in 1878 to FRANCES MARIANNE FEATHERSTON daughter of ISAAC EALE FEATHERSTON and she died 19 Jul 1926 in 77Y. She married WILLIAM FITZGERALD 1882, son of AUDITOR-GENERAL J E FITZGERALD.

Children of FRANCES FEATHERSTON and WILLIAM FITZGERALD are:

i. KATHERINE FEATHERSTON FITZGERALD ( b. 1883; d. 1961, Wellington 78y); mar. 1919 to ROBERT LACHLAN MACALISTER ( b. 1891; d. 1967, 74Y. Burial: Bolton St, Cemetery, Wellington)

ii. FRANCES FEATHERSTON FITZGERALD ( b. 1884; d. 1884 aged 3 weeks. Burial: Bolton Street Cem)

iii. BESSIE FEATHERSTON FITZGERALD ( b. 1885; d. 1966 aged 80Y); mar. 1912 to FREDERICK EGMONT WARD, (b. 1875; d. 1947 aged 72Y.)

iv. THOMAS FEATHERSTON FITZGERALD (b. 1887; Occ: Accountant Opotiki; d. 1947, Opotiki aged 60Y; Bur: Opotiki Cemetery); mar. 1911 to IDA MARIANNE STELLA HUNT, .

William Fitzgerald died 03 Jun 1888 in Wellington; bur: Bolton Street Cemetery

(Boating (Deputy Club Captain 1885-86; Club Captain 1886-88) Src: "Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 1966"
Mr William Fitzgerald, son of the Auditor-General, was well known, and liked here by many sections of the community. A solicitor by profession, Mr Fitzgerald took great interest in athletics, especially in boating. He was himself an expert canoeist, and whilst his health lasted made long excursions on the rivers and lakes of the Colony, notably the Wanganui. Though only thirty four years of age at the time of his death Mr Fitzgerald had twice married, the second time to a daughter of the late Dr-Featherston, former Superintendent of Wellington and Agent-General for the Colony. This lady survives him. Mr Fitzgerald has been suffering from Brights disease, but it was not until about ten days ago that he showed signs of haemorrhage in the lungs, from which moment his case was regarded as hopeless. Unfortunately, Mr Fitzgerald has for years been in a very delicate-state, owing .to his having rashly exposed himself to cold when recovering from a severe fever. He is well-known in the legal profession as the editor for years of the New Zealand Law Reports, a work which, by recording all the chief decisions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, filled a gap, the existence of which had, for a long time, caused much trouble-and needless labour and annoyance to practitioners in New Zealand, both in the profession and out of it. Mr Fitzgerald endeared himself to all with whom he was brought into intimate relations, by his singularly sweet temper, and genial, pleasant manners. Great sympathy is felt here, and will be felt among the older settlers in Canterbury, for his parents.

Death: Frances Marianne Fitzgerald; 1926: Many friends will hear with great regret of the death of Mrs. Frances Marianne Fitzgerald, of Tinakori road, Wellington, who passed away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. F. E. Ward, Tinakori road, on 19th July. The late Mrs. Fitzgerald was the wife of the late Mr. William Fitzgerald eldest son of New Zealand's first Auditor-General, the late Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, C.M.G., who was for many years resident at the Clyde Cliff property now occupied by the Redemptorist Brothers. She was a daughter of the late Dr. Isaac Earle Featherstone, also a pioneer resident of New Zealand, and a well-known politician. Her surviving sisters are Lady Johnston and Mrs. Menzies. Mrs. Fitzgerald leaves a family of three, one son, Mr. T. Fitzgerald, of Kimbolton, Mrs. Macalister, Wadestown, and Mrs. F. B. Ward. She was of a very gentle and kindly disposition, always ready to do a kindness, and will be missed by a great many friends.

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