James Fitzmaurice
FITZMAURICE, James Simcoe MICE, MAmIEE (1861-1934)
Born in Melbourne and educated at St Phillip’s and at Christchurch Grammar Schools in Sydney, Fitzmaurice worked initially in the office of a stockbroker, and then served indentures with Mort’s Dock and Engineering Company for five years. After studies under Professor Warren, he joined G & C Hoskins as a journeyman, and later the Fitzroy Government Dock.
He prepared specifications for equipment for lighting several forts including South Head, La Perouse and Fort Scratchley in 1884, and later supervised the installation and operation of this project. Appointed, in 1887, as the Engineer in charge of the electric light installation at Parliament House, which also served nearby government offices, he installed electric lights at the Jenolan Caves shortly afterwards. Commissioned as a Militia Officer in the No 4 Electric Company, and officer commanding the Electric Light Section, he took command of the Telegraph Section when promoted to command this company. Promoted to Assistant Electrical Engineer in the Post Office in 1906, he moved to Western Australia in 1911 where he succeeded A A Dircks as Electrical Engineer, and returned to the Eastern States in 1920 when P Kennedy took his position.
References:
MER Jan 1911, p155
CWA 1, pp285 6
WAPD 1911; 1920 p 658
The Western Australian 4/12/1934 p16
C&M p61
