PITT, ALBERT (1841-1906) was born in Hobart, a son of Captain Pitt, harbourmaster; educated there, studied law and was admitted to the Tasmanian bar. Having married, Pitt left for Otago and was admitted to the bar in Dunedin (1864). In the following year he proceeded to Nelson, where he practised at first in partnership with Henry Adams as Adams and Pitt, with a branch in Wellington in charge of E. T. Conolly (1877), and later with Edward Moore.

Pitt represented Nelson in the Provincial Council (1867-68 and 1873-75) and was on the executive in 1874 as provincial solicitor. He contested the parliamentary seat for Nelson in 1878 as an opponent of Grey without success, but in the following year was returned. He took a leading part in the stonewall on the representation bill in 1881, when the interests of the West Coast seemed to be jeopardised. Nelson having lost a seat, he was out of Parliament in 1881 and did not re-enter politics for many years. He was, however, prominent in local matters. He was chairman of the inland communications committee, a governor of Nelson College (1881-1904), a member of the council of Victoria College (1905), a synodsman, and chancellor of the Anglican diocese of Nelson, and throughout was engaged in a busy legal practice. In his early days he defended the Maungatapu murderers. He was for many years city solicitor and crown prosecutor.

Pitt was a keen volunteer. Having joined first in Tasmania, he held a commission in the Nelson artillery cadets and volunteers from 1865 to 1871. In 1873 he became captain of the Nelson battery. He rose to be lieutenant-colonel and to command the district (1877). In 1881 he commanded the majority of the Nelson volunteers who took part in the operations at Parihaka. In 1895 he again commanded the district, and he had charge of the contingent from New Zealand to the Queen's jubilee (1897).

In 1898 Pitt was chairman of the police commission, and in the following year he was called to the Legislative Council. On the retirement of W. C. Walker (q.v.) in 1903 he became leader of the Council and a member of the ministry. He held the portfolios of Attorney-General under Seddon (1903-06); Attorney-General and Minister of Defence under Hall-Jones, and the same offices (with the addition of that of Colonial Secretary) under Ward (1906). His health was now seriously undermined, and he died on 18 Nov 1906.

N.Z.P.D., 27 Jun 1907, et pass.; The Colonist, 19, 21 Nov 1906; Lyttelton Times and N.Z. Times, 19 Nov 1906. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 88

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