John Miles Verrall (1849 – 17 September 1921), also known as John Miles Verrell, was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the primate of ...

, New Zealand. In his later years, he was known throughout the country as an advocate for a state bank.

Early life

Verrall was born in Lewes, Sussex, England, in 1849. He was a tenant farmer in his home country. He married Louisa Waters Aylwin, the daughter of John Aylwin, of Plumpton, Sussex. They emigrated to

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

, Australia, in 1880, where he ran a cattle station with a partner. After a few years, he left his partner in charge of the cattle station and emigrated to New Zealand.

New Zealand

Verrall first settled in

Ohoka Ohoka is a small semi-rural township on the northern outskirts of Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South ...

, where he bought some land. In 1893, he sold up and moved to the nearby Swannanoa. During his time in Swannanoa, he advertised as a photographer using the surname Verrell. Verrall first stood for election to the

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

in the in the electorate. Of the three candidates, he came last. The successful candidate,

William Fisher Pearson William Fisher Pearson (1854 – 3 July 1888) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Pearson was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch. He worked for the Bank of New Zealand for several years. His work there impresse ...

, died the following year, and this caused an . Verrall was one of three candidates, and the result was very tight: he defeated Alfred Saunders by just two votes, and Marmaduke Dixon was only nine votes behind him. He represented the Ashley electorate to the end of the parliamentary term in 1890, when he retired. He contested the in the electorate, but his candidacy was not taken seriously. As he did not even poll 10% of the vote, he lost his £10 deposit. He died at his homestead in Swannanoa on 17 September 1921.

References

External links

Bio
on early New Zealand photographers website {{DEFAULTSORT:Verrall, John 1849 births 1921 deaths Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand photographers Unsuccessful candidates in the 1887 New Zealand general election New Zealand MPs for South Island electorates People from Lewes British emigrants Immigrants to Australia Immigrants to New Zealand 19th-century New Zealand politicians