De Renzie Brett

De Renzie James Brett (11 April 1809 – 16 June 1889) was a soldier, farmer and politician. He was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council.

Detail of Kirwee monument

De Renzie Brett memorial in Kirwee

Brett was born at Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland, in 1809. Together with his family, he came to New Zealand on the Greyhound in May 1865.[1] He represented the Selwyn electorate on the 6th Canterbury Provincial Council from 1870 to 1874.[2] He was appointed to the Legislative Council on 3 July 1871 and served until his death on 16 June 1889 at Christchurch.[3]

Brett is notable for having brought irrigation to inland Canterbury.[1] He named his farm Kirwee and the township of that name developed around it.[1] He is buried at Linwood Cemetery.[4][5]

Notes

1. Perry, P. J. "Brett, De Renzie James - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
2. Scholefield 1950, p. 192.
3. Scholefield 1950, p. 74.
4. Em, Sandy. "Colonel de Renzy James BRETT". Flickr. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
5. "Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 1 February 2012.

References

• Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)