MR HAROLD WILLS

Te Ao Hou, June 1960, Page 3

MR HAROLD WILLS A pakeha who was recognised as one of the foremost authorities on the Maori language, Mr Harold Wills, died recently at Napier. He was 71. He taught Maori at both Te Aute and Hukarere Colleges and wrote a text book and reader for students of the language. He had almost completed a text-book at the time of his death. A son of the Rev. T. J. Wills and Mrs Wills, he was born at Opotiki and moved to Hawke's Bay when his father became curate of the Ormondville-Makotuku district. Mr Wills matriculated at Te Aute College, attended the Auckland University and then returned to Hawke's Bay to teach at the Port Ahuriri School, Napier. After a spell of teaching at Te Aute, Mr Wills became headmaster of the Otaki Maori College, which closed shortly before the War of 1939. In recognition of his achievements, Mr Wills was “adopted” into the Ngati-Raukawa tribe.