Henry Cotterill (lawyer)

Henry Cotterill (16 March 1855 – 2 December 1943) was a New Zealand cricketer who played three matches of first-class cricket for Canterbury between 1875 and 1885, and worked as a lawyer in Christchurch for more than 60 years. His law firm, Duncan Cotterill, is the largest in the South Island as of 2020.

Henry Cotterill
Cotterill in c. 1920s
Personal information
Born(1855-03-16)16 March 1855
Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Died2 December 1943(1943-12-02) (aged 88)
Christchurch, New Zealand
RelationsArthur Cotterill (brother)
Edward Cotterill (brother)
William Cotterill (brother)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1873–75 to 1884–85Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 3
Runs scored 13
Batting average 2.16
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 6
Balls bowled
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 1/0
Source: Cricinfo, 6 March 2019

Life and career

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Born in Lyttelton in 1855,[1] Cotterill was one of the 17 children of the Rev. George Cotterill, who became Canon of Christchurch.[2] He and his seven brothers were educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and five of them played first-class cricket in New Zealand.[3]

Like his brothers, Cotterill was a batsman, but he did not have the success at cricket that his brothers Arthur, Edward and William enjoyed. He captained Christ's College at cricket and rugby,[4] and was the top New Zealand school student of his year, excelling widely, especially in languages.[5]

 
Duncan Cotterill offices in Victoria Street, Christchurch

After studying at Canterbury College, Christchurch, he was admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 1878.[6] In 1879 he joined Thomas Smith Duncan, who had set up his law firm in Lyttelton in 1857. Cotterill was a senior partner of the law firm of Duncan, Cotterill and Company until his death.[4][7] As of 2020, Duncan Cotterill has offices in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch, and is the largest law firm in the South Island.[8]

Cotterill served on the board of governors of Christ's College from 1896 to 1943,[4] and was also president of the Canterbury Law Society.[7]

His first wife, Nancy, died at the age of 37 in October 1891.[9] In 1893 he married Adela Ronalds.[7] From 1936, the couple lived at Victoria Mansions in central Christchurch.[10] He died in 1943. Adela survived him, along with two sons and a daughter.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Cyclopedia Company Limited (1903). "Barristers And Solicitors". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District. Christchurch: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Person Page – 44790". The Peerage. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  3. ^ Greg Ryan, Where the Game Was Played by Decent Chaps, PhD thesis, University of Canterbury, 1996, p. 147.
  4. ^ a b c d "Obituary". Press. 3 December 1943. p. 6.
  5. ^ "University scholarships". Press. 21 July 1873. p. 2.
  6. ^ "Supreme Court". Lyttelton Times. 14 December 1878. p. 3.
  7. ^ a b c "Notable career: Birthday of Mr. H. Cotterill". Press. 15 March 1935. p. 16.
  8. ^ "Firm Facts". Duncan Cotterill. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Deaths". Press. 2 November 1891. p. 3.
  10. ^ "Current notes". The Press. Vol. LXXII, no. 21818. 25 June 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
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