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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Wesley College

Wesley College, Three Kings. This institution, for the training of Maoris and natives of the South Sea Islands, owes Its existence in large measure to the wise foresight of the early missionaries under the general superintendency of the Rev. Walter Lawry and the hearty co-operation of Governors Fitzroy and Sir G. Grey. The Rev. W. Lawry arrived in the Colony in the capacity of general superintendent on March 21st 1844. An enthusiastic public meeting was held in Auckland on the 14th May following for the purpose of establishing an institution for the instruction of the most promising of the native converts to Christianity. The Rev. J. Whitely, J. Wallis, T. Buddle, and H. H. Lawry took part in the proceedings. On the motion of Mr. Lawry, a subscription list was at once opened and the movement met with liberal support. The educational work was at first conducted at Grafton Road; but on April 5th 1848, the foundation stone of the Three Kings building was laid by Sir George Grey. Rev. Alexander Read, a minister of special training, was selected as first principal of the school by the English Conference; he arrived in New Zealand on 6th April, 1849, and entered immediately upon his duties. After being eight years at the Three Kings, he was appointed missionary at Te Kopua, on the Waipa. His successors at the college were respectively the Rev T. Buddle, G. Stannard. page 206 H. H. Lawry, and J. Wailis. The native war had an injurious influence upon the work and led to the closing of the college for six years. It was re-opened in 1876, under the principalship of the Rev. T. Buddle, as a native school and theological institution for ministerial students, with the Rev. Dr. Kidd as classical and mathematical master. Between that date and the time of the transfer of the theological department to Prince Albert College in 1895, thirty-five English and five Maori students for the ministry, in addition to a large number of ordinary pupils, received their preliminary training at the Three Kings. Mr. Buddle's successors in the principalship have been the Rev. W. J. Watkin. A. Read, Wm. Morley, W. J. Williams, and J. H. Simmonds, the last named being at present in charge, and was appointed by the Conference of 1895. The institution exists and is conducted mainly for the benefit of the native races. No charge whatever is made for board, residence, or training of the scholars. They receive all the benefits of the school and are sent back to their hapus and tribes in the hope that thus a civilising and Christian influence may be exerted upon their fellow-countrymen.