WILLIAMS, WILLIAM JAMES (1847-1936) was born at Redruth, Cornwall, and began to preach at the age of 17. Trained at Richmond College, he was associated with Dr Stephenson, the founder of the national children's homes and orphanages controlled by the Methodist Church of Great Britain. He arrived in New Zealand in 1870 (being a fellow passenger with W. F. Massey, q.v., and the Rev F. W. Isitt). He did pioneering work amongst the gold miners at Thames.

Williams was a fearless and effective speaker and writer on social reform. He was for many years editor of the Methodist church paper and of the prohibition journal The Vanguard. He held some of the most important pastoral charges. He had a broad sympathy with progressive movements within the Church, and helped to secure an improved status for laymen in the principal courts of the Church. He led the movement to secure Methodist union in New Zealand and separation from Australia for the New Zealand Methodist Church, and to set up a self-governing conference for the Dominion. His interest in the history of the Church is evidenced by his book Centenary Sketches of New Zealand Methodism (1922). He attended the first New Zealand Methodist conference at Christchurch (1874). His competence in church affairs led to his appointment as secretary for home missions (1895-98), secretary of the board of examiners (1882-84), and secretary of synod and conference. He was chairman of several synods, principal of Wesley College (1893-94), and in 1888 was elected president of the New Zealand conference.

Williams married first (1875) Alice Hosking (d. 1905), and second (1908) Alice Jeffry. He died at Auckland on 11 May 1936. One of his sons was Dr Harold Williams (q.v.).

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; Morley; Williams, op. cit.

Reference: Volume 2, page 261

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