LAISHLEY, RICHARD (1844-1907) was a son of the Rev. Richard Laishley (1816-97), who was in charge of the Congregational Church at Peartree Green, Southampton, before being appointed by the Congregational Missionary Society in 1860 to come to Auckland. He came by the Caduceus and laboured at Auckland, Melbourne, Thames and Devonport.

The son was educated in Southampton. He was articled in 1870 to Jackson and Russell, Auckland, and being admitted to the bar in 1873, began to practise. He was at times a member and chairman of the Auckland education board and a governor of the Auckland Grammar School. In 1883-84 he made an extensive tour abroad investigating educational methods, his report being published as a parliamentary paper. He received the honorary LL.D. of St Andrews University (1887), the Ph.D. and M.A. of Leipzig, and several foreign orders. In 1901 Laishley gave evidence before the federation commission. His published works are mainly on education, but in 1881 he issued a pamphlet on the causes and cure of the exodus of population from New Zealand. He died in Sydney on 30 Jan 1907.

App. H.R., 1886 (ii), E 1, E 12; Butchers; Laishley, op. cit.; Auckland Star, 6 Jan 1897.

Reference: Volume 1, page 256

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