HAYHURST, JOHN (1827-89) was born near Preston, Lancashire, and in 1850 came to New Zealand. Having no capital, he worked for a while in the North Island and began in Canterbury as shepherd to H. J. Tancred, for whom he managed Malvern station in 1853. He afterwards rented Ashburton station (1855-60), and in 1861 took up Green Hayes, where he carried out comprehensive improvements, and cut the property up into small farms, upon which he settled about 250 people.

Hayhurst was a member of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works, and represented Timaru in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1865-66) and Geraldine (1872-74). A Liberal in politics, he contested the Geraldine seat in Parliament against E. Wakefield. The voting resulting in a tie, the returning officer cast his vote for Wakefield. Hayhurst died on 5 Apr 1889.

Poultry Record; Andersen; Acland; Cycl. N.Z.; Timaru Herald, 8 Apr 1889; Otago Daily Times, 10 Aug 1891.

Reference: Volume 1, page 202

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