PARNELL, Samuel Duncan 1810–1890

Born London: arrived Wellington 1840 on Duke of Roxburgh, bought land from the New Zealand Company and became builder on his own account. Stipulating in a contract with Willis & Co. that not more than eight hours a day be worked, Parnell was inspiration

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for the “eight-hour day” movement. In 1878 showed a painting of a group of children, in oils, and a study of a head, in pastel, in Wellington.