Historedia
Person

James FitzGerald

Events
3
Episodes
9
Years
1852–1875

Every event in Historedia whose sources name James FitzGerald, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 passed

    1852–1854

    Role: led the ministers added to the executive council (new person candidate; not resolved to a staged identity)

    1. 30 June 1852 · Westminster, LondonRoyal Assent

      The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 received royal assent on 30 June 1852, granting self-government to the Colony of New Zealand.

    2. 17 January 1853 · New ZealandProclamation

      Governor George Grey proclaimed the Act on 17 January 1853, making it effective in the colony.

    3. May 1854 · Auckland (named locality not in the admitted place list for this event)First Parliament

      The General Assembly met in Auckland in May 1854, with ministers added to the executive council.

  2. New Zealand acquires self-government

    1853–1854

    Role: Leader of Executive Council

    1. 1853 · New ZealandFirst Provincial Elections

      The first provincial elections were held in 1853, following the creation of provinces under the earlier 1846 act.

    2. 17 January 1853 · Colony of New ZealandProclamation of the Constitution Act

      Governor George Grey proclaimed the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, which had received royal assent in June 1852, bringing self-government into effect.

    3. 14 July to 1 October 1853 · New Zealand1853 General Election

      The first general election for the General Assembly was held between July and October 1853.

    4. 24 May 1854 · AucklandFirst Parliament Session

      The first session of Parliament met in Auckland in May 1854, dominated by issues regarding Māori districts.

  3. SS Gothenburg sinks off the Great Barrier Reef

    1875

    Role: Passenger

    1. 24 February 1875 · North coast of QueenslandWreck on the Great Barrier Reef

      The SS Gothenburg was wrecked in a storm on the Great Barrier Reef off the north coast of Queensland on 24 February 1875.

    2. 26 July 1875 · South AustraliaRecognition of Bravery

      Survivors James Fitzgerald, John Cleland, and Robert Brazil were awarded gold medals and a gold watch for their actions.

Sources

  1. New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20
  2. SS Gothenburg Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-05