BUNNY, HENRY (1823-91) was an English solicitor and an attorney of the Queen's bench before coming to Wellington in 1853. He was admitted and practised for some years. In the fifties Bunny took up land first in Rangitikei and later in the Wairarapa in the neighbourhood of Featherston. He was a member of the Provincial Council (for Wairarapa 1864-69, and for Wairarapa West 1869-75). In 1871 he was a member of the provincial executive and in the last days of the province he was provincial secretary and treasurer, and as deputy superintendent was responsible after the departure of Fitzherbert for winding up the affairs of the province.

Bunny was in Parliament for many years (representing Wairarapa 1865-81). He was a Liberal and was eventually defeated by Buchanan, against whom he unsuccessfully contested the seat on several later occasions. He acted as whip for the Stafford government for several years and was an exceptionally clever parliamentary tactician. Bunny held a major's commission in the militia and commanded the Wairarapa volunteer district (1882-89). He was a member of the education board, the waste lands board, the Wellington College board of governors, and of the Featherston town board, licensing bench and school committee. He married first a sister of the Rev Arthur Baker, and (secondly, 1867) Bessie, daughter of S. Thorne, Chapeltown, Yorkshire. Bunny died on 15 Feb 1891.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Carter; Ward; Leckie (p); Evening Post, 16 Feb 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 76

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