MILLER, SIR HENRY JOHN (1830-1918) was the son of the Rev. Sir Thomas Miller, baronet, of Froyle, Alton, Hampshire. He was educated at Eton and Oxford, where he excelled in athletics and rowed against Cambridge. As a young man he went to Australia. He arrived in New Zealand in 1860, and became actively engaged in pastoral pursuits in north Otago. He was a founder of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Miller was elected to the Otago Provincial Council for Oamaru Town in 1863, and represented it till 1867, being a member of the provincial executive as secretary for public works in 1863-66. In 1865 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until a few months before his death. He was Speaker of the Council from 1892 to 1903. In 1901 he was knighted. He was chairman of the Oamaru dock trust, the harbour board and the Waitaki High School, in the foundation of which he took a considerable part. He was interested in coalmining, and for some years was chairman of the Westport Coal Co. He married (1864) Jessie, daughter of John Orbell (Waikouaiti). He died on 6 Feb 1918. Gisborne describes Miller as a true specimen of an English gentleman; frank, hearty and prepossessing in manner; scholarly, wise, tactful and occasionally eloquent.

N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 9 Apr 1919); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Bidwill; K. C. McDonald; Gisborne; Otago Daily Times, 7 Feb 1918. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 45

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