The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Perceval, Westby Brook
Perceval, Westby Brook, K.G.S., Agent-General for New Zealand, is eldest son of the late Westby Hawkshaw Perceval, of Rangiora, N.Z., and was born in Tasmania in 1854. He was educated at Christ College Grammar School, Christchurch, N.Z., and at Stonyhurst, and matriculated at the London University in 1875. He entered at the Middle Temple in April 1875, and was called to the English Bar in May 1878. Having returned to New Zealand, he practised as a barrister and solicitor in Christchurch, and was returned to the House of Representatives for that city at the general election in the year 1887, and again in Dec. 1890. On the meeting of Parliament in 1891, he was elected Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives, but resigned the position on his appointment as Agent-General of the colony in London in succession to Sir F. Dillon Bell. Mr. Perceval left New Zealand in Oct 1891, and assumed the duties of the position in the following month. He married in May 1880 Jessie, the youngest daughter of the late Hon. John Johnston, M.L.C. (q.v.). In 1892 he was appointed to represent New Zealand on the governing body of the Imperial Institute, and Knight Commander of St. Gregory by the Pope.