The Hon. John C. Watts Russell occupied a seat in the first Legislative Council in 1854, and resigned in the following year. He was again called to the Council by the Stafford Ministry in 1858, and sat as a member for ten years. Mr. Russell was also a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council. He owned large sheep runs in Canterbury, and resided at Ilam, near Riccarton. As a Freemason he had the distinction of being the first Grand Master in Canterbury. Mr. Russell died in England many years ago.