MASKELL, WILLIAM MILES (1840-98) was born in Hampshire, the son of a Protestant clergyman who joined the Roman Catholic church. He was educated privately, and later at the Roman Catholic College of St Mary Oscott and in Paris. He then joined the army, and served for three years with the 11th (Devonshire) Regiment. In 1860 he came to New Zealand in the William Miles, spent some time on a sheep station in Canterbury, and then took up a run at Kaikoura, where he remained till 1864. Then he spent eight years farming in north Canterbury. Maskell represented Sefton in the Provincial Council (1866-75), and was a member of the executive (as provincial secretary and treasurer) in the last year, including the winding up of the province. He contested a parliamentary election against J. E. Brown. After the abolition of the provinces Maskell was registrar of the University of New Zealand until his death (on 1 May 1898). In 1884 he removed to Wellington.

About 1873 Maskell took up the study of entomology, and particularly of scale insects, upon which he became a recognised authority after the death of Signoret. His Account of the Insects Noxious to Agriculture and Plants in New Zealand (1887) is a standard work on our scale insects; and he also contributed 27 elaborate memoirs to the transactions of the New Zealand Institute. His description of the Weka Pass rock paintings is noteworthy. His collection of specimens he left to Canterbury Museum. He married (1888) Miss McLean.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); J. Park in Otago Daily Times, 25, 26 Mar 1925; Trs. N.Z. Inst., vols 1 (p. 13-20, 52-63); 31; N.Z. Times, 2 May 1898.

Reference: Volume 2, page 34

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