PURCHAS, ARTHUR GUYON (1821-1906) was born at St Arvans, in the Wye valley, Monmouthshire, educated privately, and at the age of 18 entered Guy's hospital, where he studied for three years, took his diploma of M.R.C.S., and came under the philosophical influence of F. D. Maurice. He was for some time resident surgeon at the Southern and Toxteth hospital, Liverpool, and in 1844 sailed as surgeon of the Slains Castle for New Zealand. After visiting Nelson and Auckland he returned to England at the end of the year. Having married, Purchas came to Sydney in the Penyard Park, and to Auckland in the Maukin (Oct 1846). He was master at St John's College, and spent three years as resident surgeon of the first hospital in Auckland. In 1847 he was ordained deacon and in 1853 priest, having meanwhile been inducted to the charge of St Peter's, Onehunga, in which he ministered to 1875. He then turned to the practice of medicine, devoting his spare time still to church work. He took a great interest in church music and was one of the compilers of the New Zealand hymnal (1866), which contains some of his compositions. He was a member of the diocesan synod and of the general synod from its foundation; and in 1895 was appointed an assessor of the bishop's court. The other interests of Purchas included the Blind Institute, the Auckland Institute and the scenery preservation society. He promoted the movement to obtain a good water supply for the City, sent samples of Waikato coal to the Great Exhibition of 1851, patented a process for flax dressing (for which he erected a mill at Waiuku), and patented an oil engine (1887). Purchas died on 28 May 1906.

Purchas, op. cit.; J. K. Davis; Cowie; Gorst; N.Z. Herald, 29 May 1906; J. Giles in N.Z. Herald, 31 May.

Reference: Volume 2, page 97

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