PETER, WILLIAM SPENCE (1818-91) was born at Dundee, Scotland, educated there and at the age of 19 emigrated to South Australia. There he was engaged successfully in sheep farming until 1861, when he sold out and came to New Zealand. In his later years in Australia he made extensive explorations, including the district in West Australia now known as Kimberley. Peter took up the Anama station in Canterbury, and became a successful breeder first of merinos and later of crossbreds, his stock being much sought after. He was an active member of the Anama road board and in 1867-69 represented Ashburton in the Provincial Council. In 1868 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death (23 May 1891). He married in 1856 a daughter of H. C. Seymour, of Adelaide.

Cycl. NZ, iii (p. 841); Col. Gent.; The Press, 25 May 1891; Lyttelton Times, 15 Jun 1891.

Reference: Volume 2, page 84

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