LATE ARCHDEACON WILLIAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2036, 22 March 1907, Page 4

LATE ARCHDEACON WILLIAMS.

The following reminiscences of tho Into Archdeacon sire given in the N.Z. Herald by E.M.D., a lady writer well known in Gisborne: — The remembrance of tho present writer concerning the great and good man who has just passed away from our Now Zealand life, dates back to the year 1.859, about six years after ho had begun to take an active part in the early settlement of Hawke’s Bay. When Archdeacon Williams, then known everywhere as tho Rev. Samuel Williams, first went to Uawko’s Bay thoro was no European settlement, there woro no roads, tho country was covered high with bush and lorn, Maori tracks served as bridle paths ; tho natives woro unsettled, generally hostile, suspicious and very numerous. He was constantly engaged in difficult and dangerous negotiations, which ho managed with consummate tact and skill. Shrewd and wary as he was benevolent, he was a constant intermediary between brown and white, and between hostile tribes. He was tho referee in nearly all the important affairs of tho countryside. His homo was a centre of oxamplo and beneficence; medicines, advice and assistance were regularly dispensed to those who sought them, and hospitality was freely given to all who came. Ho was remarkably successful in his plans and methods, his success being the natural result of painstaking care and of his shrewd and clover mind. Ho was a model farmer as well as missionary, clergyman, physician, and general advisor and referee.

As children we feared his stern rectitude of 'character, and dreaded to displease him. Ho preached on Sundays in tho little Mission Church upon the slope of a hill in tho To Auto Valley. Many of the congregation mot at tho homestead, coming from far and near in preparation for tho service. The good clergyman was organist and choir as well as preacher. I well remember how ho would sit in his study, his hymnbook, on his knee, earnestly practising the tunes before we all set out for the service. On ono occasion as we journeyed to church, coming through the forest drawn by a somewhat ugly horse, wo narrowly escaped a sorious accident. Tho horse backed on a bridge over a

sleep ravine. There was no rail to the bridge and the cart was packed with hidics and children, who were handed out one by ono just in time, as the cart went over and was smashed to pieces on the orcks below. The traces were loosened and tho horse escaped. Tho Archdeacon preached that morning from the text “There is but a step between me and death.” Although 40 'years and more have passed since then, I have never forgotten that sermon. In those early days, and doubtless also to the end of his life, the archdeacon loved his work. In was wonderful to see him surrounded by Maoris, talking, arguing, disputing hour after hour, throughout tho livelong day. Ivorero in the Maori language expressed tho nature of those lengthy deputations, in which tho natives delighted. The archdeacon had so mastered their methods and tone of thought as to bo quite ono of them. He was familiar with and took personal part in all the great questions of the day, and his conversation with Europeans was interwoven with the Maori names which now form the history of tho times, with anecdotes of Rowi, of Wiremu Kingi, of To Hapuku, and Moananui. His knowledge of tho intimate history of the Maori race must have been almost unequalled, and it remains to bo known whether lie has over taken steps to record matters which might prove of surpassing interest. His personal reticence and modesty were extreme, and may perhaps, have prevented many of his interesting experiences becoming personal property. Ho lived to see tho whole of Hawke’s Bay transformed from a wilderness to a garden, and to see barbarism and savagery replaced by humanity and civilisation. Nevertheless, he lived also to see the gradual passing of the race he loved so well, which must at times have given him keen regret. His efforts wero directed to tho last to tho elevation and benefit of the Maoris, and tho results are seen in Te Auto College, and in the many institutions lie supported. Personally, liis tastes were extremely simple, and though his wealth assisted so many people, lie indulged himself in no luxury but that of doing kindnesses. His name will live in history, but still more in tho tradition of families, not alone of his ow'n blood, but of the multitudes whom ho privately assisted, both to obtain education and in other ways. Ho loved to help in timo of sickness, and as in early days, it was difficult to obtain doctors, ho had plenty of scope for his talent, prescribing anil nursing, and often saving life. He had confidence in himself, and in his prescriptions, and never forgot a case whore his advice had been neglected, while his greatest triumph was an effected euro. The Maoris believed in him implicitly and faithfully followed his directions. It would probably bo difficult to find anyone in Now Zealand wdiose loss could be more deeply mourned, and who has been more sincerely loved for tlioso sterling qualities which have stood the test of so many passing years.

He has brought to tho tomb a completed life, a life full to tho brim of faithfulness, of generous deeds, and gracious works.