PURNELL, CHARLES WILLIAM (1843-1926) was born and educated in London, and came to Taranaki, where he was in the militia. He was engaged in journalism until 1878 when, having been admitted to the bar in Dunedin, he commenced to practice in Ashburton. He was one of the first captains of the Ashburton Guards. Purnell wrote extensively on scientific and political subjects, his main works being An Agrarian Law for New Zealand (1874), The New Zealand Confederation (1877), An Agrarian Law (1878), The Moa and the Maori (1880) and The Intelligence of Animals (1893). His first volume of poems appeared in 1868, followed in 1912 by The Modern Arthur and Other Poems, and in 1922 The Serpent and Other Poems. His wife was Flavia Marie Hyde, daughter of Herbert Wilson, of Jersey. He died on 7 Dec 1926.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924.

Reference: Volume 2, page 98

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