VERRALL, JOHN MILES (1849-1921) was born at Lewes, Sussex, the son of a farmer, and spent his early manhood as a tenant farmer. In 1880 he left England for Australia and took up a cattle station in Queensland. A few years later, leaving his partner in charge, he came to New Zealand and bought land at Ohoka, Canterbury. Shortly afterwards he sold out and bought a place at Swannanoa, where he farmed for 28 years and took his part in local government. In 1887 he contested the Ashley seat in Parliament, and in 1888 he was elected as an Independent. The electorate was abolished at the succeeding election. Verrall gave close study to the bank of issue question and for many years from 1886, on the platform and in the press, advocated a state bank. He published in 1885 a pamphlet, The Condition of New Zealand, challenging the Vogel policy, and at a later date a pamphlet entitled The Stockwhip. Verrall married a daughter of John Aylwin, of Plumpton, Sussex. He died on 16 Sep 1921.

N.Z.P.D., 23 Sep 1921; Lyttelton Times, 25 Jul 1888, 19 Sep 1921; The Press, 28 Jul 1888. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 212

🌳 Further sources