BUCKLEY, SIR PATRICK ALPHONSUS (1841-96) was born at Castle Townsend, County Cork, Ireland. He was educated at Queen's College, Cork, and in Paris, and having matriculated entered the University of Louvain, Belgium. While there he was commissioned by Count Carlo Macdonald, private chaplain to the Pope, to conduct from Ostend to Vienna a band of volunteers to join the Papal forces against the Piedmontese (1860). Serving under General Lamoriciere, he was present at the battle of Castelfidardo, and was taken prisoner at the capture of Ancona, being twice wounded.

Returning to Louvain, Buckley qualified as a licentiate and shortly afterwards made up his mind to go to the colonies. In 1862 he sailed for Queensland and entered the law office in Brisbane of Charles Lilley (who was premier 1868-70, and chief justice 1879-93). He was admitted to the bar and commenced to practise in Brisbane, but moved to Melbourne and was admitted there and in 1865 came to New Zealand. Settling in Wellington, he was at first a partner of C. E. Button and W. S. Reid, but in 1867 joined Robert Hart (q.v.). He was afterwards a member of the Wellington firm of Buckley, Stafford and Fitzherbert.

In 1872 Buckley was elected to the Provincial Council for Karori and Makara and in the following year for Wellington, which he represented until 1875. He was for some time provincial solicitor. For two years (1871-73) he was a member of the Wellington City Council. In 1878 he was called to the Legislative Council and in 1884 became Colonial Secretary in the second Stout-Vogel ministry. In 1891 he was a member of the Ballance ministry, in which he held the portfolios of Attorney-general and Colonial Secretary, being also Minister of Marine for a few months in 1893. On 20 Dec 1895 he retired from politics on being appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. He held his first sessions at Napier, but failing health soon terminated his career and he died on 18 May 1896.

Buckley married (1869) Alice Jane, daughter of Sir Wm. Fitzherbert. He was a keen volunteer, and was captain of D battery, which he was instrumental in forming.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Ward; Reeves; Gisborne; N.Z.P.D., 11 Jun 1896; N.Z. Graphic, 13 Aug 1892, 4 Feb 1893; The Times (London), 19 May 1896; N.Z. Times, 19 May 1896. Portrait: Parliament House

Reference: Volume 1, page 73

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