FITZGERALD, JOHN PATRICK (1815-97) was born at Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland, and educated at Dublin, where he graduated in medicine. (M.R.C.S, Eng.) He arrived in Wellington as surgeon in the Oriental in Jan 1840 and was a member of the Colonists Committee of Control in the same year.

A pious Catholic, Fitzgerald was appointed by Bishop Pompallier as catechist at Port Nicholson and thus was the first representative of that Church there (Dec 1840). He was deeply interested in the natives and as Colonial Surgeon in charge of the hospital at Wellington paid much attention to their welfare. He was appointed coroner (1841) and had medical charge of the Wellington militia and Maori contingent on active service (1846). Trusted by Rauparaha, he acted as his guide and adviser when he came to Wellington to watch the trial of a Maori for theft. When the colonial hospital at Port Nicholson was opened in 1847 Fitzgerald was in charge. Governor Grey was much impressed by his enterprise and skill and the fine service he rendered to both races.

Fitzgerald married (1842) Eliza Sarah, daughter of Thomas Christian (Dublin). After her death (in 1854) he left New Zealand for the Cape, hoping again to work under Grey. This wish was gratified by his appointment early in 1856 as superintendent of the Grey hospital at King William's Town, where he placed his skill and enthusiasm at the disposal of both races for 35 years. He visited New Zealand in 1861, after opening his first hospitals in Kaffraria. Fitzgerald retired in 1891 and died at Ramsgate, England, in 1897. He published in 1885 a history of the native hospital at King William's Town. (See T. H. FITZGERALD.)

Fitzgerald, op. cit.; Hubner; Pompallier; Rees; Ward; Tucker; E.H. Brookes Hist. of Native Policy in S. Africa (1927); The Silver Star, 1938; Marist Messenger, 1 Mar 1938; Evening Post, 29 Jan 1927; N.Z. Spectator, 19 Jul, 16 Aug 1854; Cape Mercury, 2 Apr 1891.

Reference: Volume 1, page 146

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