RUSSELL, SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL (1838-1913) was the son of A. H. Russell (q.v.). Born at Sandhurst, he was educated at the Royal Military College, and in 1855 received his ensigncy in the 58th Regiment. Two years later he came to New Zealand in the Chapman to join the headquarters of the regiment. Returning to England in 1859, he exchanged into the 14th Regiment and came to New Zealand, retiring in the following year with the rank of captain. With a brother he took up the Tunanui and Flaxmere properties in Hawkes Bay, retaining Tunanui and Sherenden when the partnership was dissolved.

Russell represented Waimarama in the Hawkes Bay Provincial Council (1869-71), and Napier Country (1871-75). In 1875 he was elected to Parliament for Napier, which he represented till 1881, when he was defeated by Sutton. In 1884 he re-entered Parliament (for Hawkes Bay) and sat till 1905. He was defeated by Dillon in 1905 and again in 1908, and then retired from politics. In the shortlived Atkinson Government of 1884 Russell was Postmaster-general. When Atkinson next came into power he remained a private member, but on the defeat of Rolleston he took office as Colonial Secretary, Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice (Oct 1889), holding these portfolios until the defeat of the Government at the election of 1890. He was chairman of the Midland railway commission (1883) and in 1890, with Sir John Hall, he attended the first Australasian federation conference at Melbourne. When the conference resumed in 1891 he again represented New Zealand (with Atkinson and Grey). On that occasion he voted against the other New Zealand delegates in opposition to Grey's elective governor proposal, and questioned whether the existing system of self-government was satisfactory. He was a member of the federation commission in 1900. A capable and careful administrator, Russell showed great consideration for his subordinates and was generally popular and respected. He was elected leader of the opposition in 1894, but relinquished the post early in 1903, and sat thereafter merely as member for Hawkes Bay.

After spending eight years in retirement he was called to the Legislative Council a few months before his death, which occurred on 24 Sep 1913. Russell took an active part in local affairs as a member of the Hawkes Bay education board, county council, hospital and charitable aid board, waste land board and rabbit board and a governor of the Napier High School. He was captain of the Meanee company of militia and later of the Hastings Rifles. In 1902 he was created a knight bachelor. He married (1867) Harriette Julia, daughter of George Hodgkinson, of Chichester, Sussex. (See H. A. RUSSELL.)

Hawkes Bay P.C. Proc.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); N.Z.P.D., 24 Sep 1913; Gisborne; Saunders; Hawkes Bay Herald, 24 Sep 1913.

Reference: Volume 2, page 136

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