HARPER, GEORGE SAWDEN (1840-1911) was born at Burton-Fleming, near Bridlington, Yorkshire. He became a pupil teacher in the Wesleyan day school at Nafferton, Yorkshire, and began to preach at sixteen years of age. His gifts led to his acceptance for the ministry by the British Wesleyan Conference, and his theological training was received under the direction of Dr Kessen. He entered the ministry in 1864 and in 1865 arrived in New Zealand, beginning work in Canterbury under the direction of the Rev James Buller.

On the discovery of gold on the West Coast Buller crossed the Southern Alps for Hokitika, directing Harper to go by sea. Harper was the first Protestant minister to work on the West Coast. His hearty manner, ready wit, tireless energy and appreciation of the digger's lot won their confidence and gave him great influence. He was later sent to organise Methodist work on the Thames goldfields and to preach in the open air at centres of population. He married (1868) Catherine Anne Ingamells. Harper held pastorates at Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson. The excitement and strain of his pioneering work resulted in nervous prostration, and in 1878 he was superannuated. He settled at Sanson and was for some time schoolmaster at Carnarvon, and worked for his church in the Manawatu district.

Harper contributed to the New Zealand Wesleyan a series of articles entitled "The Gospel Among the Maoris" (1872-74) and he left several manuscripts which are still unpublished. Two of these deal with work on the West Coast and Thames goldfields. He died on 24 Sep 1911.

M.A.R.P.

Reference: Volume 1, page 197

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