Richard Wright is mentioned in the Cyclopedia of New Zealand 1903:
Wright, Richard, Farmer, “Elmsthorpe,” Hunter. This estate comprises 675 acres of freehold, and is devoted to mixed farming. Mr. Wright was born at Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, England, in 1831, and brought up as a farmer. In 1852 he came to Lyttelton by the ship “Samarang,” and was for some time farming at Lincoln Road, Christchurch. Afterwards he opened coalpits at the Malvern Hills, and worked them for about five years. He then returned to Lincoln Road, where he again engaged in farming, and was afterwards for a good many years at Lincoln. In 1882 Mr. Wright removed to the Hunter district, and purchased his present property. It was only partly improved, and had the boundary fence around it, but it is now many years since the property was brought into a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wright served on the Hunter school committee for many years, and was for a long time chairman of that body. He was also for a long time a member of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As a Freemason he joined the Order at Lincoln, but is at present unattached. Mr. Wright was married, in 1857, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Murray, of Christchurch, and has four sons and two daughters surviving.