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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. T. F. Martin

Mr. T. F. Martin, the City Solicitor, was born in Kent, England, and was educated at Torquay, England, and Heidelberg, Germany. He was articled to his father, the late Mr. Thomas Martin, solicitor, Cannon Street, London, and Wimbledon. page 283 Mr. T. F. Martin He was admitted an English solicitor in 1874, and in 1877 published “The Student's Conveyancer” (Stevens and Sons, London). Mr. Martin arrived in New Zealand in 1879, when he was admitted a barrister and solicitor of the Colony. He practised in Canterbury until 1884, when he was appointed Town Clerk and City Solicitor of Wellington. As counsel for the Corporation he defended a series of heavy compensation claims brought against the City Council in consequence of the carrying out of the Te Aro Reclamation, which work deprived the Foreshore owners (who included timber merchants and ship-builders) of their sea frontages. By his able and successful conduct of these cases Mr. Martin saved the City many thousands of pounds; and at the time all parties united in giving him the highest praise. In 1889 he resigned the Town Clerkship, and commenced private practice, retaining the solicitorship of the Council. He was afterwards joined by his present partner, Mr. M. W. Richmond. Mr. Martin was appointed Counsel in 1891 to the Municipal Association of New Zealand, and in 1894 to the New Zealand Counties Association. In 1895 he was entrusted by the Government with the preparation of the Local Government Bill, designed to substitute for the present over-grown and complicated system of local government, simply large counties and boroughs with wide powers and assured finance. Mr. Martin held a commission in the Thorndon Rifle Volunteers.