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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

The Rev. William Baumber

The Rev. William Baumber, Superintendent Wesleyan Minister of the Wellington Circuit, and Chairman of the Wellington District, comes from the Fen Country, having been born at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. Educated at the Grammar School of his native town, and at Didsbury College, near Manchester, Mr. Baumber had successfully entered on his third year of training when his health broke down. Acting on the best medical advice, which was confirmed by the late Rev. James Buller, who was at that time in England, Mr. Baumber offered himself for the work in New Zealand. Having been accepted, he embarked on the ship “Opawa,” which duly arrived in Lyttelton in April, 1877. The reverend gentleman spent his first two years in Lawrence, Otago, whence he removed to Durham Street Church, Christchurch, where he was associated with that grand man, the late Rev. Alexander Reid. During the three years of his residence in Christchurch, the church at East Belt was erected, a good deal of money being raised for that valuable property. Mr. Baumber was married in Christchurch to Mias Garland, daughter of Mr. E. Garland, of Hillsborough, and has page 397 two daughters. For three years subsequently he was in charge of the Thorndon end of the Wellington Circuit, and was afterwards stationed at Napier, Dunedin, and at St. Albans, Christchurch, remaining at each place the full term of three years While in charge at Dunedin, Mr. Baumber was chairman of the Otago district, and at the Conference of 1893 he was within a very few votes of being returned to the position of president of the Wesleyan Conference. In 1894 he was appointed to the important position which he now fills in the Capital, and for which he is so well qualified. The reverend gentleman is very successful in his work, especially in connection with the young people, and at the Mutual Improvement Society, of which he is an ideal chairman. He has been a representative at the last three General Conferences of the Wesleyan Church of Australasia, held respectively at Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, and when at Melbourne was probably the youngest ministerial member. He was ordained at the Dunedin Conference of 1880

Rev. Wm. Baumber.

Rev. Wm. Baumber.