William Russell (New Zealand politician)

Russell was born in Sandhurst, Berkshire England and educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.[1] His father Andrew Russell was in the 58th Regiment of Foot, and Russell came with him to New Zealand in the 1840s. He then joined the 58th Regiment, and came to New Zealand as an ensign in 1857. He transferred to the 14th Regiment of Foot and came out to Auckland in 1861, serving until 1862. In 1862 he sold his Captain's commission to settle in Hawkes Bay taking up with his brother 31,000 acres of rolling hill country 25 miles west of Napier in Tunanui, part of it later known as Sherenden.[1]

In Hawkes Bay Russell became involved in civic affairs and became renown for his capability as an administrator. He was to serve on a multitude of local bodies, including the Hawke's Bay County Council, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Education Board, Waste Land Board, and Rabbit Board. In addition he was a governor of the Napier High Schools' Board.[2]

He was a Minister (Postmaster-General) in the short-lived Fourth Atkinson ministry of 1884; which lasted only six (or fourteen) days.[4] In 1887 he joined the Fifth (and last) Atkinson ministry, initially as a Minister without Portfolio before becoming Colonial Secretary, Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice from 1889.[5] He represented the New Zealand government at the Federation Conference in Melbourne in 1890, and later at the Australian National Convention in Sydney in 1892.[1]

When the Liberal government of John Ballance came to power in 1890, the Opposition had not yet coalesced into a truly formal party. Russell was recognised as Leader of the Opposition from 1894 to 1901. Noted for his courtesy, honesty and consideration, Russell was at times completely overwhelmed by Prime Minister Richard Seddon in the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate. Even members of his own party acknowledged his nature was ill-suited to parliamentary brawls.[1]

In June 1900, following defeat at the 1899 general election, the opposition strength fell considerably. The conservative MPs could not agree on a new leader upon holding their first caucus of the session. However, Seddon still continued to address Russell as their leader until July 1901.[6] For over two years the conservatives were virtually leaderless, although chief whip William Massey often informally filled the role and eventually succeeded Russell as leader in September 1903.[6]

After Massey became Prime Minister in 1912 he later appointed Russell to the Legislative Council on 26 June 1913. He died at Napier soon after on 24 September 1913.[1] Many years later his son Harold Russell was also appointed a member of the Legislative Council, serving from 1934 to 1938.[2]