MURRAY-AYNSLEY, HUGH PERCY (1828-1917) was born in Gloucestershire, a son of John Murray-Aynsley, of Little Harle Tower, Northumberland. Educated privately, he spent some time in Trinidad, West Indies, managing a sugar plantation for his cousin, Sir William Miles. In 1858 he came to New Zealand by the British Queen, and he was for some years associated with Miles and Co., stock and station agents, until the firm was incorporated. He took up the Mount Hutt run, Canterbury, in 1862. About 1873 Murray-Aynsley joined the New Zealand Shipping Co., of which he was a director from that date until his death (and chairman for many years). He was a member of the chamber of commerce from 1860 and president 1862-63, and president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (1863-64).

Murray-Aynsley was a member of the provincial executive (1862-63) and was for some years in the Provincial Council representing Lyttelton (1864-69). He was deputy-superintendent for a few weeks in 1869. He was M.H.R. for Lyttelton (1875-79). Other public service was on the harbour board, of which he was chairman, and as chairman of the Christchurch Domain board (1893-97, 1902-06). He married (1859) Elizabeth (d. 1893), daughter of Thomas Campbell (Edinburgh). Murray-Aynsley died on 22 Feb 1917.

N.Z.P.D., 29 Jun 1917; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Col. Gent.; Acland; The Press, 23 Feb 1917. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 59

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