YATE, WILLIAM, was educated at the Church Missionary Society's college, and ordained deacon (1825), and priest (1826). He was for some time curate of St Swithin's, London East, and in 1827 proceeded in the convict ship Sovereign to New South Wales, where he was the guest of Marsden at Parramatta for some time. He was a popular preacher in Sydney, and had an influential following. In Jan 1828 Yate came to join the mission at Bay of Islands. He made a careful study of Maori, and as a conchologist made a fine collection of shells for the British Museum. In 1830 he proceeded to Sydney to publish the second portion of the Scriptures translated into Maori. He brought back with him a small printing press and a boy (James Smith) who had had slight experience in the office of the Sydney Gazette. They printed a few hymns. In 1831 Yate, proceeding in the Active to search for the Haweis, visited Tonga and other islands. In 1833 he was again in Sydney superintending the publication of three books for the mission.

Returning to New Zealand in the Nereus, he accompanied W. Williams to Thames. As secretary to the mission in New Zealand, he forwarded the petition of the chiefs for protection to William IV (1831). In 1834 he described for the Society the visit of H.M.S. Alligator and the selection of the New Zealand flag. He proceeded to England shortly afterwards, and returned to New South Wales by the Prince Regent in 1836. While he was in charge of St James's church in Sydney, Bishop Broughton interdicted him from officiating on account of charges against his moral conduct which were never answered. In Dec 1836 he sailed for England in the Ulysses, but the Society refused to reopen his case. In 1835 Yate published his scholarly book Account of New Zealand, and in 1843 a letter in his own defence. He was later chaplain to the Sailors' Rest in Dover.

Yate, op. cit.; Carleton; Hocken, in Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 33, p. 472; Marsden, L. and J.; Clarke; Scholefield, Henry Williams.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YATES, ELIZABETH, née Oman (1840-1918) was born at Caithness, Scotland, and came to New Zealand with her parents as a child. About 1875 she married Michael Yates (d. 25 Sep 1902). Born in Lanark, Scotland, he became a master mariner, was shipwrecked in South Australia in 1852, and came to New Zealand the following year. He traded for many years in the Islands in command of the Industry and Jessie Niccol, in which he had a share, and afterwards in his own brig Coronet. In 1874 he retired from the sea. He was elected to the Onehunga borough council in 1883, and mayor in 1888, and resigned on account of ill-health in 1892.

Mrs Yates contested the mayoralty in Nov 1893 against F. W. Court, whom she defeated by 120 votes to 107. She held office until 1894. During her term there was vigorous expenditure on roads and footpaths. She was the first woman in the British empire to be mayor of a municipality. She was also a justice of the peace, and received a letter from Queen Victoria congratulating her on this honour. In a mayoral contest Dr Erson defeated her by two to one. Mrs Yates had previously been a member of the Onehunga union parliament (1893) and had assisted her husband towards the end of his mayoralty. In Nov 1894 she was defeated by M. D. Sutherland by 147 votes to 56. She died on 6 Sep 1918.

Cycl. N.Z., ii; Rev. of Rev., 1894, p. 13, 117; N.Z. Herald, 21 Dec 1893, 20 Apr, 29 Nov, 20 Dec 1894, 26 Sep 1902, 9 Sep 1918; Auckland Star, 7 Sep 1918.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YEMS, JAMES (1812-68) came to Wellington in the Lord William Bentinck (1841) and to Taranaki (1842). He was in business as an auctioneer in New Plymouth until 1845 when, owing to the depression, he left for South Australia. He returned to the province later, and represented New Plymouth in the Provincial Council 1861-63. Yems died on 10 Sep 1868.

Taranaki P.C. minutes; Wells.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YOUNG, HENRY WILLIAM (1840-1903) was born at Camberwell, London. Coming to New Zealand in 1863, he proceeded to the West Coast in 1865 to join his elder brother, with whom he practised for some years as engineers to mining companies and architects. They designed public schools and churches in Greymouth, Hokitika and other places. In 1878 they undertook the post of engineers to the Westport Coal Co., constructing the Denniston incline and other works. They took the requisite soundings and did other preliminary work for Sir John Coode's report, and were associated with Napier Bell in the construction of the Cape Foulwind railway and the tramline to Westport harbour. After spending two years in practice in Wanganui, Young was appointed in 1886 as chief assistant engineer in New Zealand for the Midland Railway Co. (under Napier Bell and afterwards Robert Wilson). That engagement ending in 1896, he returned to private practice on the West Coast. Young was a member of the Society of Architects, A.M.I.C.E., and M.I.M.E. He was an attractive lecturer and public speaker. He married (1884) Annie, daughter of John Aitken. His death occurred on 4 Aug 1903.

Cycl. N.Z., v (p); N.Z. Surveyors' Jour., Sep 1903; Grey River Argus, 6 Aug 1903.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YOUNG, WILLIAM CARR, came to Otago in the Pudsey Dawson in 1854 and was in business with Edward McGlashan as an auctioneer. He was M.P.C. for Green Island in 1857 and was a member of the executive from 1857-59. He devoted a great deal of attention to the affairs of the Anglican synod and the building of St Paul's Church, and took a prominent part in the controversy regarding the appointment of Bishop Jenner. He was a member of the diocesan and general synods.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YOUNG, WILLIAM CURLING, was the eldest son of G. F. Young, M.P. for Tynemouth, who was a director of the New Zealand Company. He came to Nelson in the Mary Ann in 1842 and was appointed a justice of the peace (22 Mar 1842), but shortly withdrew. He acted for some time as immigration agent for the settlement, receiving the Company's ships and settling the emigrants and accounts. Young kept a very interesting diary of events on the voyage. His letters from the settlement are in the Victoria College Library. Young was drowned in the Wairoa river on 14 Aug 1842.

N.Z.C., 31; Broad; E. J. Wakefield, ii, 260.

Reference: Volume 2, page 271

🌳 Further sources

YOUNG, WILLIAM FARQUHAR (1868-1937) was born in Otago and educated at a public primary school. He joined the Post and Telegraph department as a messenger in Dunedin (1878), becoming telegraphist at Waihemo (1882), telegraph check clerk at Dunedin (1906) and at Christchurch (1907). He took part in 1890 in establishing the post and telegraph officers association (of which he was the first president), and promoted the demand for superannuation and other privileges. He retired from the service in 1910. As a youth Young studied elocution under William Hoskins (a Shakespearian actor). A solo chorister with an alto voice, he became a leading singer, and in his teens was a member of the Dunedin Savage club and the Liedertafel. Resigning from the postal department, he devoted his whole time to singing and elocution. He was a lover of both Gaelic and Maori, which he fostered in Caledonian and other societies. From 1912 until his death (on 29 Jan 1937) Young was a prominent figure in the musical life of Christchurch, where he taught singing and elocution. He married Mildred Righton.

Post and Telegraph department records; J. H. McKenzie (information); Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); The Press and Star-Sun, 30 Jan 1937.

Reference: Volume 2, page 272

🌳 Further sources