RUSSELL, HAROLD ARTHUR (1871-1938) was born at Hastings, the son of Sir William Russell (q.v.). Educated at Bradfield College, England, and Lincoln Agricultural College, Canterbury, he learned farming on his father's property, Sherenden, which he afterwards managed. He farmed for himself at Puketapu (1908-18), and then moved to his father's estate at Flaxmere, which he afterwards managed for himself. He also owned Apley station on the Mangaone river, where he raised black cattle. While he managed the Flaxmere stud for his father it produced one of the greatest steeplechasers in the Dominion (Nadador), as well as Tigritiya, Corazon, Bells of Shannon, and others. He took an interest also in the breeding of remounts. Russell hunted and played polo for many years, and was a gentleman rider with some success. He was president of the Hawkes Bay jockey club (1923-24), a life member of the Hawkes Bay hunt club, and president (1922-24). He captained the polo team which won the Savile cup (1906), founded the Hawkes Bay polo club in 1892, and was president in 1918, and a member of the committee of the New Zealand polo association. He was president of the Hawkes Bay Agricultural and Pastoral association (1921-28) and served on the Hawkes Bay county council, the Napier harbour board, the Napier High School and Te Aute College boards, and the licensing committee.

Russell married (1897) Eva (d. 1935), daughter of William Nelson. He was called to the Legislative Council (1934). His death occurred on 14 Jul 1938.

N.Z.P.D., 14, 15 Jul 1938; Who's Who N.Z. 1932; Dominion and Evening Post, 15 Jul 1938 (p); Daily Telegraph (Napier), 15 Jul 1938. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

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