FITCHETT, FREDERICK (1854-1930) was born at Grantham, Lincolnshire, and as a boy came to Victoria with his parents. His father having died, his mother maintained the family by keeping a store.

After leaving school Fitchett went to sea before the mast for two years. He then came to New Zealand and entered the service of the Bank of New Zealand. His University career was a brilliant one. He was a senior scholar at Canterbury College, where he graduated (BA 1879; M.A. 1880; LL.B. 1880; LL.D. 1887) and he won the Bowen prize in 1876.

Admitted to the bar in 1881, he practised in Dunedin till 1894 (the firm being Fitchett and Thornton). He was a member of Parliament for Dunedin Central (1887-90) and was Liberal whip, but did not seek re-election. In 1894 he was appointed parliamentary law draughtsman; in 1900 crown law officer, and in 1901 Solicitor-general. In this capacity he went to London to discuss the New Hebrides convention with French and British delegates (1907) and the Webster claims (1909). With Sir R. Stout and L. G. Reid he consolidated the New Zealand statutes.

From 1910 to 1917 Fitchett was Public Trustee and on retiring he resumed practice in Auckland. He was a member of the University senate (1883-1915). (C.M.G. 1911). He died on 6 Oct 1930. (His brothers were A. R. FITCHETT (q.v.) and W. H. FITCHETT)

Cycl. N.Z., i; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Hight and Candy; Evening Post, 6 Oct 1930; N.Z. Herald, 6 Oct 1930.

Reference: Volume 1, page 144

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