Mr. John Ollivier was a Member of the House of Representatives in 1858–1859, but he will be better remembered in his connection with the Canterbury Provincial Council, and as one of Canterbury's spirited public men. He was born in 1812, and for about twenty years carried on the business of a publisher in London. On arriving in the colony in 1853 he selected Canterbury as his home. During the many sessions he sat as a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council, he occupied various offices, and was Provincial Secretary in Mr. Moorhouse's Executive. Whilst holding this position he proposed the construction of the Christchurch and Lyttelton railway, and carried through the Council the proposal to connect the Port and the Plains by means of the tunnel. Mr. Ollivier was afterwards chosen Speaker of the Provincial Council, and on his retirement from that position was appointed Provincial Auditor. Subsequently he held a similar office under the General Government, and he was also a magistrate for several years. Mr. Ollivier died on the 31st of July, 1893, at Christchurch.