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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston

Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston, the first Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, was born in Newcastle on-Tyne in 1813. Being at an early age threatened with consumption, he more than once visited Greece and other parts of southern Europé in the hope of eradicating the tendency. In 1842, when twenty-nine years of age, with a view still further to build up his constitution, Dr. Featherston came out to New Zealand as surgeon of the “Olympus.” Dr. and Mrs. Featherston were exceedingly popular with the passengers. Many of the Doctor's warmest supporters were fellow passengers who had learned to love and respect him during the voyage. On arrival in Wellington, Dr. Featherston found the people of the embryo capital engaged in a struggle with the New Zealand Company, and he espoused their cause with such satisfactory results that he was presented with page 212 a silver tea service as a mark of gratitude and popular approval. About 1850, the Settlers' Constitutional Association was formed, and Dr. Featherston became its most enthusiastic member. It is beyond doubt that by the unsparing use of his voice and pen, he did much to hasten the day of representative institutions, and particularly responsible government. When, by virtue of the privileges which Dr. Featherston had worked so hard to secure, the province of Wellington was called upon to choose a Superintendent, the Doctor's public career so emphatically marked him out as the best man for the position that he was elected without opposition. At some of the five subsequent elections there were contests, of course; but the popular Doctor was thoroughly installed in the hearts of the people, and the opposition but the more firmly rooted him there. Speaking of his first election the Spectator (London) said:—” There was but one man, by universal admission, who was known to combine all the qualities Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston which were needed for the Superintendent of that province, and that man was Dr. Featherston. The following was the remarkable language in which Mr. Fitzherbert, who has himself since become a New Zealand statesman of the highest standing and celebrity, spoke in presenting to Dr. Featherston a requisition to become Superintendent: ‘If the characteristic of the office of Superintendent should consist in his being a counterpoise to the Governor-in-Chief, a man to stand in the gap between the colonists and the Imperial ruler, a ready and transparent channel for the transmission of the wishes and wants of the settlers in unpolluted purity, then, indeed, it behoves them to examine minutely into the qualifications of the man before they elect him. Honesty, ability, and rigid inflexibility of purpose combined, truth and high courage, become indispensable qualities, if that view of the office of Superintendent be correct. Nor ought these qualities to be taken on credit. A man is wanted on whom the settlers know—not think—they can rely. In fact, a tried man, I am far from detracting from the merits of my fellow-colonists; many probably possess all these qualities, but we have not yet proved it in any one man in the province except Dr. Featherston.” Referring to him generally the same authority says:—” Dr. Featherston's power over the natives, and the gallantry which was part of the spell, were put to a severe test in the course of the war, when he persuaded a native force to serve with the British force. They made it a condition that they should be led by him, and by him accordingly they were led, with a courage which gained him not only the New Zealand Cross, but the kind of admiration from his commanding officer which even the most cordial and generous of commanding officers rarely express.” As Superintendent of Wellington and member of Parliament, Dr. Featherston was his own contemporary. He represented Wanganui in the first Parliament, and sat for that constituency during the sessions of 1854 and 1855. In 1856 he stood for Wellington and was triumphantly returned. From that date he continuously represented Wellington until 1871, when he resigned to accept the appointment of Agent-General in London. Prior to this he had been sent on several occasions to Australia and England on special missions, and he was considered eminently successful in them all. When, therefore, it became necessary for the Colony to be represented in London, Dr. Featherston's fitness for that position was acknowledged in all quarters. This appointment he held until June of 1876, his death occurring on the 19th of that month. Even bad news travelled slowly in those days. It was not until the 13th of the following month that the news of Dr. Featherston's death reached Wellington. Parliament was in session, and there was a warm discussion in full swing, Mr. (now Sir Robert) Stout's Licensing Bill being before the House. The Premier (the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel), in making the announcement, spoke in the highest terms of the many and noble services rendered the Colony by Dr. Featherston. Sir Robert Stout expressed the great regret he felt at hearing the sad news, and willingly consented to the postponement of his bill in order that the House might adjourn. Sir Julius then moved the adjournment “as a mark of respect to the memory of a gentleman who had occupied distinguished positions in New Zealand, and who had had so much to do with the early history of the Colony.” The New Zealand Times, referring to the Doctor's selection for the position of Agent-General, said:—“Since Dr. Featherston's appointment in 1871 to the office of Agent-General, he has invariably justified the wisdom of the choice then made, by the rare ability he has shown in the discharge of the responsible, onerous, and delicate tasks that have been entrusted to him. His character as a gentleman, and his value as a negotiator, were admitted in the highest circles at Home, and procured for him the offer on one, if not on two occasions, of the honour of knight. hood—an offer he did not see fit to accept. The honour he most coveted was the decoration of the New Zealand Cross, and although delay occurred in granting it to him, it is satisfactory to know that a few months since his wishes were gratified.” Such was the man whom the province of Wellington honoured, and delighted in honouring, with the highest position within its gift, six times in succession, spreading over a period of eighteen years; and the parliamentary constituencies of Wanganui and Wellington together for the same period honoured him with the highest office in their power to bestow upon him. Such a record is unique in the history of the Colony.