WELLS, ADA (1863-1933) was born in England, and came to New Zealand in the Merope at the age of 10. She was educated at Avonside school for girls, Christchurch, where she profited much by the influence of Mrs Alfred Hill and Miss Gresson. Proceeding to the West Christchurch school, she gained a junior university scholarship, and entered Canterbury College to train for the teaching profession. From there she passed to a position on the staff of the Girls' High School. Influenced in life by the teachers mentioned, by Mrs T. Foster and Professor Macmillan Brown, she resisted the extreme materialism of modern education, and sought to inculcate a love of language and literature. She was associated with Kate Sheppard in the women's movement, being for some years first secretary of the National Council, and assisted in the formation of the Children's Aid Society which developed into the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. She took a leading part in the foundation by Professor Bickerton of the Canterbury Institute, of which she was president for many years. Miss Wells was the first woman member of the Christchurch City Council (1917), being a colleague of H. G. Ell. During 1914-18 she was actively associated with the peace council, resisting the conscription of young boys for military service. Miss Wells died on 22 Mar 1933.

Woman To-day, Jun 1937.

Reference: Volume 2, page 242

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