MONCKTON, FRANCIS ALEXANDER (1835-1910) was born at Maidstone, Kent, his father being a solicitor and town clerk. He was educated at Corpus Christi Hall, Maidstone, and London Hospital (M.R.C.S. 1855). He at once went on service in the Crimean War, first in a frigate, afterwards in the flagship of the Baltic squadron, in a gunboat and eventually in the Hastings, in which he took part in the bombardment of Sveaborg.

After two years' war service Monckton sailed as surgeon in the Agra for Otago. On landing he rode through to Invercargill, where he decided to practise his profession. For five years he practised in Riverton, where he was the first hospital doctor. There he married (1863) Sarah Annie, widow of Thomas Newton. In 1864 he found it advisable to move again to Invercargill, where he became resident surgeon of the hospital. He was later coroner on the retirement of his partner (S. Hodgkinson, q.v.) He practised again in Riverton for some years and left in 1879. He was at Ross, Westland (1881-83) and afterwards at Kumara, Reefton and Nelson, finally settling in Feilding in 1886. While in Southland Monckton was for two years a member of the Provincial Council, representing Longwood (1867-69), and was twice a member of the superintendent's executive. In 1874 he leased the Auckland Islands to establish a depot for supplying whalers and sealers with stores and equipment. He purchased the schooner Mabel Jane and made several extended voyages to the Aucklands, but the venture was a costly failure.

On settling in Feilding he took a great interest in public matters, and was elected mayor in 1889 (on the casting vote of the returning officer). He died on 25 Mar 1910. Monckton was a skilful surgeon who wrote many professional papers. He invented an accident bedstead which was awarded a prize at the Wellington Exhibition (1885). (See C. A. W. MONCKTON.)

Fulton, p. 62-75 (p); Cycl. NZ., i; Feilding Star, 26 Mar 1910.

Reference: Volume 2, page 48

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