Woolston / Heathcote Cemetery Tour - Christchurch City Libraries

development of the botanic gardens, museum and public hospital. Moorhouse ‘knew
how to design great things, and also to give effect to his great designs’.
Ollivier’s last public activity, but a year or so before his death, was an unsuccessful
attempt to prevent the police hierarchy from transferring his old friend Inspector Peter
Pender out of Christchurch.
Sir Julius von Haast said of Ollivier:
Imagine a Falstaff who has forsaken sack and lived cleanly; a good portly
man of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye, a colour as red as any rose, an
admirable dexterity of wit, not only witty in himself but the cause of wit in
other men.
Another description ran thus:
When you look upon his tall and stately figure, his bright penetrating eye and
light step, you could hardly accept the evidence as to age of his whitening
locks. When upon his subject … [he] is a good debater and logical acumen is
aided by a clear ringing voice and a distinct enunciation. He is happy in
improvisation. He catches a fugitive idea in the course of a debate and
instantly strings together a series of figures to prove something - he does not
care what, so long as it gives him an opportunity to talk. Facts upon facts he
adduces to illustrate his argument; and, if the facts are not to hand, he is not
dismayed. Is it nota prerogative of genius to invent what is not otherwise
attainable? But declamation is his particular forte. Here his tones rise and
swell, his eye flashes and his whole form dilates and, with stalwart aim, he
mercilessly beats the air ….
Elizabeth Ollivier, 79, died on 3 November 1892.
John Ollivier, 81, died at Bolton House, Ferry Road, on 31 July 1893.
Row K
Nos. 202-204
Murray-Aynsley
Hugh Percy Murray-Aynsley was born at Gloucester in 1828, the son of John
Murray-Aynsley of Little Harle Tower, Northumberland. Educated privately, he
spent time managing a sugar plantation for his cousin, Sir William Miles in Trinidad,
West Indies.
Murray-Aynsley came to New Zealand as manager and principal partner in the firm
of Miles and Co., the largest stock and station agent in Canterbury. As long as he was
in the port town, he was a leading citizen. He took a large part in Lyttelton regattas
and was chosen by ballot as Lieutenant of the Lyttelton Company of the Volunteers,
being a good shot and often the top scorer in rifle matches.
In 1862 Murray-Aynsley bought from Colonel Alexander Lean ‘Riverlaw’ in Opawa
and the Mount Hutt run. The Murray-Aynsleys broke up the run 40 years later.
Woolston / Heathcote Cemetery
2006
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