Mr. Richard Westenra, J. P., who is Chairman of the Selwyn County Council, and of the Ashburton and North Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board. was born in 1832, at Kinsale, in the South of Ireland, and was educated in Germany. He came to New Zealand with his father, the late Capt. Richard Westenra, per ship “Midlothian,” which arrived in October, 1851 Captain Westenra took up a run on the banks of the River Selwyn, where for many years, the subject of this notice was engaged in sheep-farming. The estate is now owned by Mr. Westenra and two brothers under the style of Westenra Bros., and is devoted to general farming. About the year 1880, Mr. Westenra settled in Christchurch. He has taken a deep interest in local bodies for many years, and was first connected with the Rakaia Road Board. Shortly after settling in Christchurch he became a member of the Selwyn County Council, and has been chairman for a number of years. Mr. Westenra has long been a member of the Charitable Aid Board, and has occupied the chair for about twelve years. He has also taken a considerable interest in the Christchurch Hospital and has been a member of the board for some sixteen or seventeen years. He has been on the Commission of the Peace for many years. Mr. Westenra was a member of the old Provincial Council for Akaroa for seven years. In 1856 he married a daughter of the Rev. W. Aylmer, of Akaroa, and has two sons and one daughter living.