WILLIAMS, SAMUEL (1822-1907) was born in England, the son of Archdeacon Henry Williams (q.v.), and came to New Zealand in 1823. Educated at St John's College, Waimate, he was later a teacher on the staff of the Maori College, with which he moved to Auckland (1845). In 1847 Bishop Selwyn appointed him to the charge of the Otaki district, which had been founded by Hadfield (q.v.). Making Otaki his headquarters, he assisted in pacifying the natives and had charge of eight village schools and a central school.

In 1852 Governor Grey, fearing the effect on the Maori of a rapid influx of whites into Hawkes Bay, appointed Williams to that district and promised a land endowment for Maori education. Arriving there in 1853 to meet Selwyn and Grey, he chose Te Aute as the school site, the natives giving an additional 4,000 acres for the purpose. In 1854 the Church Missionary Society agreed to his transfer to Hawkes Bay, where for six years he lived in a native hut. Governor Gore Browne being less interested in native education, Williams had to suspend the school and lease the land, which was for some years unoccupied, and on which he spent much of his own money. The school was reopened in 1872 and made steady progress, educating many of the later leaders of the Maori race. Williams had great influence with the natives, and on several occasions composed their differences with the whites and saved the district from the inroads of the Hauhau invaders. He had a flair for farming, and encouraged the natives to clear land and utilise it to the best advantage. Many settlers also learned the management of fern and scrub from him. He was a noted breeder of cattle and at many shows from 1863 onward took prizes.

In addition to large gifts to the Te Aute and Hukarere schools, Williams maintained district nurses in some native settlements and contributed largely to missions all over the world. He was ordained priest in 1853; was rural dean of Hawkes Bay (1854-88); archdeacon in 1888, and canon of the Napier Cathedral (1889). He married (1846) Mary, daughter of Bishop William Williams (q.v.). His death occurred on 14 Mar 1907.

William Temple Williams, Pioneering in New Zealand (1929) (p); Williams papers; Stock.; Jacobs; Selwyn; Morton; Cycl. N.Z. vi (p): Hawkes Bay Herald, 15 Mar 1907.

Reference: Volume 2, page 260

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