Thomas Frederick Martin

Mr Thomas Frederick Martin was born in Kent, England, in 1852. Educated in England then Germany he was articled to his father, a London Solicitor, being admitted to the bar in 1874.

In 1879 he emigrated to New Zealand, and practised as a barrister and solicitor 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. From 1892 he was in partnership with Maurice Wilson Richmond Thomas in the firm of Martin and Richmond, Barristers and Solicitors.

Thomas 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.

He died in 1929 and is buried in Karori Cemetery.