HARPER, CHARLES JOHN (1838-1920), a son of Bishop Harper, was born at Eton, England, and educated at Rossall and Cirencester Agricultural College. He came to New Zealand in the Duke of Portland (1855), and took up the Malvern Hills and Lake Coleridge runs. Later he owned properties at Brackenfield (Amberley), and Hackthorne (Ashburton). He was a member of the Rakaia road board and of the Provincial Council (in which he represented Sefton 1873-75). In 1900 he contested the Ashburton parliamentary seat against McLachlan. Harper was a member of the Upper Ashburton road board (chairman 1898 and 1901), and of the Ashburton county council (chairman from 1899), and chairman of the Rangitata road board. He married (1868) Sarah, daughter of Walter Cracroft. He died on 6 Sep 1920.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 196

🌳 Further sources