WALLIS, JAMES (1809-95) was born at Blackwall, near Poplar, London. As a young man he became a local preacher, and he was received into the Wesleyan ministry in 1833. After spending a year in the Ely circuit, he left for New Zealand in the Brazil Packet, arriving at Hokianga on 1 Dec 1834. He assisted to build the mission house at Mangungu, and was attached for some time to the Hokianga station. Whiteley and Woon were sent to establish missions on Kawhia harbour, and Wallis to establish one at Te Horea, Whangaroa. He walked to his station from Kawhia, and lived in a rush hut until he built a dwelling to which his wife could come. At Te Horea he erected the first church in Raglan district. Work had scarcely been commenced when instructions were received from the London committee to leave the field to the Anglicans, and Wallis was removed to Tangiteroria, where he did pioneer work in the Kaipara district. The chiefs insisted on the return of their spiritual fathers, and in 1838 Wallis recommenced his work at Whaingaroa, where he remained until 1862. He was very successful with the natives. Absolutely fearless, he once stood between a company of infuriated local natives and some warriors from Waipa, and ultimately established peace. Amongst his converts were Hamiora Ngaropi (of Whatawhata), Wiremu Patene (of Karakariki), and the great Tainui warrior, Te Awaitaia (q.v.), who later was baptised as Wiremu Naera (William Naylor).

Largely through Te Awaitaia's influence Wallis and Whiteley were able to act as mediators between hostile tribes, to curb the Waikato, to establish peace between them and the Taranaki tribes, and to secure the liberation of slaves. When the 10 chiefs in the Kawhia region signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 their signatures were witnessed by Wallis and Whiteley. Wallis had a constitution that could endure hardships. In Mar 1841 he walked from Raglan to Port Nicholson accompanied by natives. At Ngamotu he found the first company of New Plymouth settlers and held service with them. Finding Te Heuheu, the chief of Taupo, engaged in warfare near Wanganui, he exerted his influence to restore harmony.

In 1863 Wallis was transferred to European work. He spent three years at Onehunga and two years at Pitt Street Church, Auckland. In 1868 he was superannuated. His wife died on 8 Feb 1893, and his own death occurred on 5 Jul 1895.

Buller; Morley (p); W. and Williams; N.Z. Herald, 6, 20 Jul 1895.

Reference: Volume 2, page 231

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