GRAY, ERNEST (1833-95) arrived in New Zealand in 1853 and, with his brother Henry, took up the Coldstream run on the Rangitata river. He married a daughter of Colonel Macpherson, of New South Wales. He represented Waitangi in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1866-70) and was a member of the Legislative Council from 1867 until he retired from politics (1883). He then sold his run and purchased Hoon Hay, where he lived until his death.

Gray was much interested in agricultural matters, and was a successful breeder of longwoolled sheep. He was an active member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral association and often acted as judge in the sheep classes. He died on 14 Jul 1895.

His brother, HENRY FRANCIS GRAY, who came to New Zealand with him and was a partner throughout, represented Riccarton in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1874-75).

Parlt. Record; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 17 Jul 1895. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 176

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