THE LATE MRS. WILLIAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5657, 5 January 1880, Page 3

THE LATE MRS. WILLIAMS.

From time to time we have to notice the deaths of those who 'nave been identified with the early settlement and colonisation of the country. On this occasion, we have to record the passing away of a veritable pioneer in the person of Mrs. Williams, widow of the late Archdeacon Henry Williams. She landed with her husband and three chiMren at the Bay of Islands in August, 1823—50 years ago. On December 12th last, four days before her death, she cnmpl'-ted the BGth year of her age. We regard with feelings of admiration the courage of the men who in those early days, in bands of two or three, camo to the country fur no other purpose than that of bringing the benefits of Christianity and civilisation to its benighted and blood-thirsty inhabitants. If the courage of the men excites our admiration, with what feelings should we regard the women, who, with undaunted devotion, accompanied their husbands on their mission ot mercy ? Conspicuous amongst those heroines was the venerable lady whose death we now chronicle. When about leaving England for these barbarous shores tho Archdeacon v/rites of her, in 1822 : "She does not acosmpany mo merely as my wife, but as a fellow-helper in the work," and bravely did sho fulfil his expectations. Very soon after their arrival they took up theirquarters at Paihi3, and from that position Mr. Williams, with one or two of his companions, visited the different parts of the couv.try, by Bea and land, in expeditions extending over the whole island. Those must have been wonderfully courageous women who without hesitation parted, with their husbands—we mij.'ht say, sen j them forth—to encounter unknown dangers at the hands of ruthless savages. Confident in the righteousness of their object, they were willing t<s be separated for six ov more montliß, at a time daring which thty underwent many hardships aud not a few /.airbreadth escapes. It is hard to s?,y who displayed the greatest courage—the mcu who fearlessly went out at the call of duty, or their wives who, with their helpless little onet, stayed behind at the mercy of excitable savages. Tho influence of the wives on the hfathen was as necessary, and in some cases more effectual, than that of the missionaries. It was their part to raise the degraded women from their filthy and depraved condition, and thus exercise a beneficial effect upon the men. At every station were women's and girls' schools taught by the wives of the missionaries, and the results may bo seen at the present day. Middle-aged Maori women arc to be met with in many a kainga, who may easily be distinguished by their appearance and comparatively cleanly habits as once having been inmates of a mission family. In addition to her special mission work Mrs. Williams for many years conducted an English girls' school for the benefit o£ tho daughters of the missionaries. In all this work, as well as in everything which had for its object the promotion of the cause for which she left her home, Mrs. Williams proved herself an efficient and zealous fellowlabourer —a wife worthy of hor distinguished husband. After the death of the Archdeacon, in 18G7, sho continued to reside at Pak&raUa, in the enjoyment of repose—the peaceful evening of a long day of useful labour. She was the object of the devoted attention of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose delight it was to minister to her every want. Her faculties were unimpaired to the very last, and she passed away, after a brief illness, to the rest for which she had been long prepared.