1869 he was called to the Legislative Council, and introduced a bill to amend the Native Lands Act, which was passed, but he failed to pass the Native Reserves Bill. He assisted in the successful opposition to the importation of Ghoorka regiments for the purposes of the war, but was ultimately disqualified as an official from sitting in the Council. He was for two years district judge of Auckland, in addition to his other appointments, and retired from public service in 1882. Mr. Fenton is singularly well acquainted with the Maori language, and the history and customs of the people. In addition to various pamphlets, he is the author of "Observations on the State of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of New Zealand" (Auckland, 1859), and "Suggestions for a History of the Origin and Migrations of the Maori People" (1885).
Fenton, James, son of James Fenton, was born at Dunlavia, County Wicklow, Nov. 20th, 1820. His father was a landholder in the county, but in consequence of religious and political disturbances in Ireland, emigrated with his family to Tasmania in 1833. Mr. Fenton was educated at Elton School, Arklow, and afterwards at the schools of Mr. James Thomson and Mr. R. W. Giblin at Hobart. In 1839 he took up land in West Devon, Northern Tasmania, where he was the first settler. He was an active pioneer of the district, was appointed a J.P. in 1856, and was for years Chairman of the Devon Road Trust. After seeing Devon grow into a populous district he fixed his residence in Launceston. Mr. Fenton has for half a century been a constant contributor to colonial newspapers and magazines. His "History of Tasmania" was published at Hobart in 1884. He is also author of the "Life of Rev. Charles Price" (Melbourne, 1886), and "Bush Life in Tasmania Fifty Years Ago" (London, 1891).
Fenton, Hon. Michael, formerly captain in the 12th Regiment, after service in India, sold out and emigrated to Tasmania in 1829, settling on a grant of land at Fenton Forest, near Glenora, on the river Derwent. He was appointed a member of the nominee Legislative Council by Sir John Franklin in 1840, and was one of the "Patriotic Six," who resigned their seats in the Council, in order to frustrate the financial policy of Governor Wilmot, in 1846, but was reappointed by royal warrant in March 1847. In 1851 he became one of the first elected members of the Legislative Council, representing New Norfolk. In 1855 he was elected Speaker in succession to Sir R. Dry. When responsible government was conceded he entered the House of Assembly for the same district, and was elected the first Speaker in Dec. 1856. Mr. Fenton continued to fill the chair of the House till May 1861, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Sir Robert Officer. He died at Fenton Forest on April 6th, 1874, aged eighty-five years.
Fenwick, George, J.P., editor of the Otago Daily Times, was born at Sunderland, England, on Feb. 2nd, 1847. He arrived with his parents in Melbourne on Jan. 1st, 1853, and subsequently came to New Zealand, landing in Dunedin in 1856. He entered the office of the Otago Witness in 1859, and there remained until 1866, when he visited Australia. Returning to Otago, he became part proprietor of one or two provincial newspapers, and in 1875 was appointed manager of the Otago Guardian, a daily paper of considerable merit, at that time published in opposition to the Otago Daily Times. The Guardian subsequently became the property of Mr. G. M. Reed, whom Mr. Fenwick joined in partnership. In 1877 the subject of our sketch conceived the project of purchasing the Otago Daily Times, and, after much negotiation, Messrs. Reed and Fenwick became proprietors of the Times and of the Otago Witness. Subsequently Mr. Fenwick was appointed managing director of a company which purchased the property. This position he still holds, and in conduction therewith he was appointed editor of the Times in August 1890. Mr. Fenwick is chairman of the Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways Company and a Justice of the Peace.
Fergus, Hon. Thomas, M.H.R., was born at Ayr, Scotland, on April 6th, 1851, went with his parents to Melbourne, Australia, as a boy, and arrived in Otago, N.Z., in the beginning of 1870. Shortly after landing in Otago he decided to enter the engineering profession, and to that end studied at the Otago University under Professor Shand, who was
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