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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 79

The Late Archdeacon Samuel Williams

The Late Archdeacon Samuel Williams.

The late Archdeacon Samuel Williams arrived amongst the Ngatiraukawa Maoris at Otaki in the year 1847. I cannot, gratify my own feelings more than by writing of his earliest years amongst us, and the memory of his gifted mind and noble deeds will live long among all the Maoris. He journeyed from district to district to expound the teaching of Christ to thousands of Maoris; he was loved and respected by all, being possessed of that extreme sympathetic feeling which distinguished the best class of English clergymen. He spent nearly the whole of his time and energy travelling up and down the coast to prevent unfriendly relations between Maoris and Europeans, and rendered services of incalculable value to this district when stationed at Otaki. He never interfered in buying Maori land, but he gave instructions to the Maoris in planting apple and peach and all other fruit trees.

I have seen the late Archbishop labouring like an apostle, working with hundreds of Maoris, building the church Rangiatea, at Otaki, with his coat off, sawing and carpentering, and superintending the erection of the church, for which he was architect. In those days there were no plumb-bobs, and I have seen him take out his watch and tie a long string to it, and hold it up to plumb the large upright pillars of the building. A Mr John Curley was the carpenter in charge of the Maori carpenters. When an invitation was given by Te Rauparaha and Matene te page 8 Whiwhi to the people to come and assist in building the church, the invitation was readily responded to by hundreds of Maori labourers.

After the church was built the Archdeacon was very active in labouring to have the old boarding college and school built, and when it was completed he took thirty Maori girls and boarded them in his own house, and did his best to engage them in profitable and useful occupations. He laboured hard amongst the Maoris in putting down slavery, and at length, having released hundreds on this coast, who but for him would have been in slavery still, he lived together with the natives, and laboured as one of them; and, being bound together in one common cause of missionary work, by the best of all bonds, Christian love, he neglected no part of his wide diocese. Both races were alike the object of his care. Now there stands his memorial church, Rangiatea. He wielded a great influence over the natives, and often preserved peace amongst them at great personal risk to himself. He taught hundreds of Maoris to read and write their own language. The results, however, were not so satisfactory as had been anticipated, for Maoris who had learned to read and write soon began to "fancy" themselves, and got into pakeha society—where they generally succeeded in getting their morals corrupted. My memory of his life's work at Otaki, as well as the striking and noble proofs of his administration which are to be seen all round, impels me to testify to his good work. The character of such men as the late Archdeacon. Williams is calculated to call forth the very best, not only of the Maoris, but of all, whether Christians or heathens.

In my opinion, the best tribute which the Ngatiraukawas can pay to his memory is to become Christians, and show their love to the church Rangiatea. He worked together with the Ngatiraukawa, against the trusters of the Porirua Trust, in their efforts to have the new college established in Otaki, and the interest he took in this important work deserved better fruit. He taught all the tribes of this district that they ought not to hate and destroy, but to love and do good to one another; and when the Maoris learned his words of wisdom they ceased to go to war against each other, and all the tribes became one people, and peaceful inhabitants: they began to build large houses, because there were no enemies to pull them down; they cultivated their lands, and had abundance of bread, because no hostile tribes [unclear: entoued] into their fields to destroy the fruits of their labour; and instead of the roots of fern they are eating bread.

O, chiefs and tribes of the Ngatiraukawa, you have page 9 been taught this good work by the late Archdeacon, Williams, and you enjoy the fruits of his labours. And it remains to be seen whether the young generation of the Ngatiraukawa will have the honour to erect a monument for his good work. Their fathers regarded him as a father and a faithful guide, whose life was a beautiful example of the religion to which it was devoted, and his name will be handed down to posterity, crowned with the records of all good men. The Archdeacon was greatly trusted and beloved by the natives. He toiled hard amongst the hundreds of people, and with success, as the flourishing settlement in Otaki sufficiently proves. When he departed from Otaki the Natives lost a veritable shining light.