THE LATE ARCHDEACON WILLIAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2031, 16 March 1907, Page 2

THE LATE ARCHDEACON WILLIAMS.

SHORT SKETCH OF HIS LIFE

The late Venerable Archdeacon Samuel Williams, whose death was reported from Napier on Thursday, was born on January 17tli, 1822. He was the second son of the late Archdeacon Henry AVilliams, of AA’aimate. He was educated in AVaimate and St. John’s College (Auckland), and was ordained deacon in 1846, and priest in 1853. He married Alary, daughter of Archdeacon AVm. AA’illiams, afterwards first Bishop of AVsiapu. In 1847 the deceased went to Otaki at tho request of the Bishop of New Zealand, to adjust the disagreement amongst the Alaoris and their differences with the Government; and lie did this so well that lie was placed permanently in the district. He also made considerable progress in education among the natives, and established eight village schools and a central school at Otaki, the latter having an attendance of about 130. In 1852 Sir George Grey interviewed Air. AVilliams and stated that, as there was a large European population going to Hawke’s Bay before the natives were prepared to come in contact with them, there would certainly be a collision unless somebody were there to stand between the two races. Although Air. AVilliams was liappy in his work at Otaki, lie decided to go to Hawke’s Bay on the solicitation of Sir George Grey. The latter allowed Mr. AVilliams to choose 4000 acres of lana for the purpose of educational work, and the natives promised him as much land as he wished, and the Government granted money for the purchase of sheep and the erection of school buildings, promising lurtlfr money for the upkeep of the school. Early in 1553, therefore, Mr. AA'illiams took charge of tlio 71 1 vke s Bay district. • It had been entirely overlooked that he would need a residence and his first domicile at Te Auto (where he had chosen the land offered by the Government) was a pataka, 14ft. long by Bft. wide, with walls 3i't. 6in. high. Later lie built a raupo hut, in which he had to live for six years. The deceased had been Archdeacon of Hawke’s Bay and Commissary to the Bishop of AVaiapu since 18S8. The .Archdeacon was identified with the Native College at To Auto up to tho time of his death and was also instrumental in starting tho Hukarere school for native girls at Napier. Deceased was a cousin of the present Bishop of AVaiapu. Ho had great influence with tho Alaoris, and at the time of the Hauhau troubles oil the East Coast, used active influence towards pacifying the turbulent natives. A brother of the late Archdeacon, Judge AATlliams, of the Native Land Court, is a. resident of To Ante. Other members of tlio family are.3lrs. C. R. Davies, senior, AVellington, tho Hon. H. AVilliams, Bay of Islands, Air. T. C. AVilliams, of Auckland, and Airs. Lud brook, of Bay of Islands, brothers and sisters of deceased.