FLATMAN, FREDERICK ROBERT (1843-1911) was born in Suffolk, educated at the High House School and spent some years on his father's farm before sailing for New Zealand in 1862 in the Mary Ann. On arrival in Canterbury he spent some months on Alfred Cox's Raukapuka station, and after a short time storekeeping in Geraldine he joined Robert Taylor in a sawmilling venture at Woodbury (1866). The firm acquired land and laid out a township for their employees, established a store and hotel, and out of their sawmilling profits gradually extended their holding of farming land until the partnership dissolved in 1892.

Flatman then retired to farm his own property near Geraldine, devoting more and more time to public affairs. He was a member of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works before the abolition of the provinces; was for 19 years a member of the Geraldine road board and later in life was mayor of the borough of Geraldine (1909-11). For many years he was a member of the Timaru harbour board; the South Canterbury education board and the Geraldine school committee. He was M.H.R. for Pareora (1893-96) and on the adjustment of electoral boundaries continued to represent Geraldine (defeating A. E. G. Rhodes on two occasions). On becoming a supporter of prohibition Flatman closed the hotel in Woodbury in which he was interested. He continued in Parliament until 1908 and during part of that time served as deputy-chairman of committees. Flatman died on 21 Sep 1911.

N.Z.P.D., 21 Sep 1911; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Andersen; Timaru Herald, 22 Sep 1911

Reference: Volume 1, page 150

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