WESTENRA, RICHARD (1832-1903) was born in southern Ireland, and received most of his education in Germany. On arriving in New Zealand he took part in the management of his father's property. He was a member of the Provincial Council for Akaroa from 1870 till the abolition of the provinces and a member of the executive under Kennaway (1871-74). He was for some years a member of the Rakaia road board, and when the Selwyn county council was formed (1881) he was elected a member and continued to serve until his death. From 1896 he was chairman. He was an original member of the charitable aid board (1885) and chairman (1886-98). He was also on the hospital board (1885-92, and 1895-98); a member of the domain board, and of the Lyttelton harbour board. From 1885-1903 he was a governor of Canterbury College (being re-elected in 1897 and 1898), and he was also on the education board, of which he was for some years chairman. He was long a local trustee of the Trust and Agency Co.

Westenra married Selina (1833-1902), daughter of the Rev W. J. Aylmer.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; The Press, 7 Apr 1903.

Reference: Volume 2, page 244

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