HABENS, WILLIAM JAMES (1840-99) was born at Brighton, England, and educated at the Puget School there and Hackney College, graduating B.A. at London University (1862). He studied for the Congregational ministry, was ordained in 1863 and came to New Zealand in the Canterbury (1864). For 15 years he was in charge of Trinity Church, Christchurch, which was erected during that time. In 1878 he was appointed inspector-general of schools, and in 1886 he succeeded John Hislop as Secretary for Education. In this capacity Habens had much to do in organising the department and coordinating the work of the various education boards and the classification of teachers. He was a member of the royal commission on higher and secondary education and acted as secretary (1879-80). He was a fellow of the New Zealand University and a member of the senate (1877-99); founder of the Public Service Association; and president of the New Zealand Congregational Union. He married (1863) Annie, daughter of Thomas Mellish (Brighton, England). Habens died on 8 Feb 1899.

Butchers; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Evening Post, 4 Feb 1899.

Reference: Volume 1, page 186

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