James Hurtle Fisher

Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790 – January 28 1875) was a lawyer and prominent South Australian pioneer. He was the first Resident Commissioner of South Australia, the first Mayor of Adelaide and the first resident South Australian to be knighted.

Early life and career

James Hurtle Fisher was born at Sunbury, then part of Middlesex, England, the eldest son of James and Henrietta Harriet Fisher. He was articled to London solicitors Brown and Gotobed and admitted to practice in July 1811. He married Elizabeth Johnson on October 5 1813. He commenced practice as a solicitor in 1816.

Bound for South Australia

Fisher became a member of the South Australian Building Committee in September 1835; in November he was selected as resident commissioner. On July 13 1836 he was formally appointed Registrar, and on the next day Resident Commissioner, under the South Australian Act. His role gave him the power to dispose of public lands in the new colony – the proceeds of the sale would be, following Wakefield's plan, used to fund the emigration of workers to the colony. In power he was to be second only to the governor, with the added stipulation that his powers and those of the governor would be entirely separate.

In July 1836, Fisher and his family left England, accompanying the governor's party aboard the "Buffalo". They arrived at Holdfast Bay on December 28 1836, where the new settlement was proclaimed.

Disputes with Governor Hindmarsh

Fisher had been allowed to draft his own instructions - these were not shown to Governor Hindmarsh. Disputes between the two men over their powers had begun aboard the "Buffalo" and were revived during sessions of the new Council of Government. In February 1837 the Resident Magistrate's Court bound the two to keep the peace towards each other. Disagreement also arose over the site of the city, which Hindmarsh wanted moved closer to the port, and over the slow progress of the survey. Hindmarsh failed in his bid to move the city and the survey did progress. In March Fisher called a meeting of holders of land orders to select their town acres, and the remaining acres were auctioned soon after. Further controversy arose with encroachment of the governor's garden on public land. In August, Hindmarsh suspended Robert Gouger from his office of Colonial Secretary. John Brown, a servant of Fisher and not subject to the governor, was nevertheless also suspended on September 11 1837. Fisher immediately issued a handbill stating that Brown still held office; Hindmarsh later issued a contradictory proclamation. Tit-for-tat accusations continued, with both parties communicating to London. In March 1838 Governor Hindmarsh was recalled to London, leaving Adelaide in July. This was no victory for Fisher, however: the new governor, George Gawler, was given the combined powers of Governor and Resident Commissioner, effective on his arrival in October 1838.

Fisher returned to law and became a leader of the South Australian Bar.

Political life

In October 1840, Fisher was elected inaugural Mayor of Adelaide. He was again mayor from 1852-54. He was elected into the Legislative Council in 1853, becoming speaker (1855-56) and president (1857-65), after which he retired from politics.

In 1860 he was made Knight Bachelor, becoming the first resident South Australian to be knighted.

Death

Fisher died in Adelaide on January 28 1875, survived by four sons and four daughters.

Memorials

James Hurtle Fisher is commemorated in various ways:
* Hurtle Square, Adelaide is named after him
* A memorial plaque exists at Trinity Church, of which he was one of the first trustees
* His portrait is preserved at Parliament House, Adelaide

A memorial and plaque near the corner of North Terrace and West Terrace, Adelaide, marks the approximate location of the Land and Survey offices and Fisher's and Colonel William Light's huts, which were destroyed by fire in 1839.

References

* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010359b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography]
* [http://www.historysouthaustralia.net/STsquare.htm#hur History of South Australia through street names]