STACK, JAMES WEST (1835-1919) was born at Puriri, Thames, and received his education first at St John's College, Auckland, and from 1846 at Sydney College. In 1848 he went to England, where he attended a commercial school and was confirmed by the Bishop of London. In 1849 he was appointed a junior clerk in the Church Missionary Society. He was accepted to train as a schoolmaster and spent a year at Highbury Training College under Dr Ryan, afterwards Bishop of Mauritius.

While in London Stack became acquainted (1854) with Archdeacon William Williams and Tamihana te Rauparaha (q.v.), with whom he returned to New Zealand in the Slains Castle (Aug 1852). In 1854 he became a catechist, and with Volkner joined the Rev Robert Maunsell at Waikato Heads. He did good service in the removal of that mission to Te Kohanga, nine miles up the river; in draining land and cultivating vegetables, and in the erection of the church. In 1859 Stack received an invitation from Bishop Harper to take charge of the Maori population in Canterbury. Though the salary was larger, he was reluctant to leave the Society's service; but it was eventually arranged. Williams accordingly ordained Volkner (q.v.) instead of him for the post at Opotiki. Stack was ordained by Harper in Dec 1860, and a few months later married Eliza, sister of Humphrey Jones, Commissary-general to the Forces in New Zealand. He visited the Waikato with Gorst to assist in the establishment of a school for native girls, and then settled at Tuahiwi, Canterbury, the headquarters of a district which extended as far as Stewart Island. There he remained diligently engaged in his pastoral duties and his studies of Maori lore until 1870, when, his house having been burned down, he removed to Christchurch. In 1880 he accepted the cure of Duvauchelles Bay. After visiting England (1884), he was appointed vicar of Kaiapoi, and two years later of St Barnabas, Fendalton.

Stack contributed many papers on Maori lore to the Philosophical Society, and published several books, including The Sacking of Kaiapohia and The South Island Maoris; a Sketch of their History and Legendary Lore. After 1898 he lived in Italy. He died 13 Oct 1919 at Worthing, England, and his wife on 2 Dec 1919.

Stack, op. cit.; Adventures and More Adventures.

Reference: Volume 2, page 162

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