Person Page - 364

Janet Margaret Williams was born in Saskatchewan on 19 January 1920.^2,3
The siblings Edward, Anna and Janet were listed in the 1921 census at Carmichael in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, with their parents, Ernest Edward Williams and Margaret Lucy Forsaith.³

Janet died on 20 January 2012 in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, at age 92.² She was buried in January 2012 at the Gulf Lake Cemetery in Gull Lake.²

John Dow Williams was born on 14 April 1902 in Matahiia.^2,1,3

He married Catherine Annie (Nancy) Maclaurin in New Zealand on 30 March 1932.^2,1,4,5

John died on 26 July 1975 in New Zealand at age 73.^2,1,6

John Morris (Moss) Williams was born on 24 January 1929 in Gisborne.^2,3

He married Diana Margaret Holden in Waipawa on 5 May 1955.^2,1,4

John died on 27 May 1997 in New Zealand at age 68.^2,5

John William Williams was born on 6 April 1827 in Paihia.^2,1

He married Sarah Busby in New Zealand on 3 May 1854.^1,3

John died on 27 April 1904 in Napier at age 77.^2,1,4

She married Thomas Rutherford Clarke, son of Thomas Rumney Clarke and Marjorie Henry.¹

Kenneth Stuart Williams was born on 13 September 1870 in Pakaraka.^2,1,3

The NZ Dictionary of Biography gives a view of his career: -
"He was the youngest of a remarkable quartet of second-generation descendants of the missionary brothers Henry and William Williams. Kenneth, his first cousin Thomas Sydney Williams, and his second cousins, brothers Heathcote Beetham and Arnold Beetham Williams, (known as KS, TS, HB and AB) developed farming on the East Coast north of Gisborne, where they consolidated the family's reputation as responsible land-holders, men of public affairs and noted benefactors of the region.

Kenneth was born eighth in a family of eight sons and three daughters. He was educated at Heretaunga School, Hastings, and at Christ's College, Christchurch, from 1884 to 1888. He excelled at sport, being a member of the First XI and the First XV, and was a prefect.

When Kenneth was in his early 20s his uncle Samuel Williams sought help for his extensive farming enterprises in the Waiapu district. In response, Kenneth left Pakaraka in 1894 for Tuparoa, a coastal station near East Cape, to gain experience while assisting T. S. Williams to develop a viable farm there. Samuel offered both cousins the chance of their own land if they could clear the debts on the property. After Kenneth married, Samuel placed in his charge the inland station of Matahiia on the Mata River, south-west of Ruatoria; it was to be his home for the rest of his life. The station had been managed and administered by experienced Williams employees. There was a large woolshed with 20 shearing stands, used by surrounding farms, shearing up to 60,000 sheep in peak years. In 1897 10 machine stands were installed. With this sound start, Kenneth proceeded to farm the block wisely and the station prospered in spite of difficulties of access and its distance from commercial centres. Until 1932 the homestead was often isolated by flooded rivers. Stores were shipped in bulk from Auckland to Tuparoa, and those living at the station learnt to be resourceful and self-reliant.

His ability to speak to Ngati Porou in fluent Maori earned him great respect and was a tremendous asset to him in local affairs. He joined the Waiapu County Council, serving as chairman from 1909 until 1920. He was a founding member of the Waiapu Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in 1903 and served as first chairman of the Tokomaru Harbour Board from 1910 to 1919. A founder of the Waiapu Racing Club, Williams owned several successful racehorses and represented Hawke's Bay clubs on the New Zealand Racing Conference.

In 1916, when land settlement schemes for soldiers returning from the First World War were mooted, the four Williams cousins set up the Waiapu Returned Soldiers Trust as a private scheme to benefit local men. Each subscribed £10,000 to purchase the 4,000-acre Whakaangiangi estate. Six farms were established. In 1920 the farms were balloted for and taken up by local returned soldiers, with advances for fencing, buildings and stock. Kenneth Williams was particularly involved in establishing this scheme. The Waiapu Trust encapsulated the Williams philosophy of service to the community and was one of the most successful private efforts at resettlement in New Zealand.

The Williamses' philanthropy continued in the depression of the early 1930s. Many farmers, including a number who had trained on Williams properties, were close to financial ruin. The family repeatedly stood guarantor with the banks, notwithstanding their own resultant hardship. They thereby ensured that the East Coast continued as the same farming country they had pioneered.

Williams entered national politics in 1920 when, as the Reform Party candidate, he won the Bay of Plenty seat in a by-election. In Parliament he became known as one who spoke rarely, unless he could do so with authority. His abilities became well known, however, and from 1926 to 1928 he was minister of public works under Gordon Coates, with whom he formed a close friendship. He had handed over the management of Matahiia to his eldest son, Charles, in 1924, so was able to concentrate on his busy portfolio. He worked to extend the country's network of main highways, and in 1927 was responsible for the introduction of the petrol tax. An excellent horseman, he rode to remote corners of the country to view works projects as few ministers had done before. Williams helped to advance the prospect of Gisborne becoming at last linked by rail with the rest of the country. He was returned to his seat unopposed three times.

When the coalition government was formed in 1931 Williams declined another ministerial post; because of the effects of a severe car accident some years earlier he felt he could no longer rely on good health. He continued to work hard for his constituency, but after a further setback in 1934 decided to retire at the end of the term.

A garden party in Williams's honour was held in Opotiki on 25 November 1935 just two days before the election. During speeches that paid tribute to his years of service he collapsed, and died shortly afterwards."^4,5

He married Lilian Mary Ludbrook, daughter of Samuel Blomfield Ludbrook and Caroline Elizabeth Williams, at Pakaraka Church in Bay of Islands, Northland, on 3 August 1898. Kenneth and Lilian were actually cousins.^2,6,7

Kenneth died on 25 November 1935 in Opotiki at age 65.^2,1,8 He was buried in Matahiia.⁹

Kenneth Sydney Williams was born on 22 October 1927 in Gisborne.^2,1

He married Elizabeth Josephine (Jose) Watkins in Ruatoria on 30 January 1953.^2,1,3

Kenneth died on 13 August 1990 in Manutuke at age 62.^2,1

Lyall Arthur Williams was born on 17 April 1917 in Christchurch, Canterbury.^1,2,3

He married Patricia Jocelyn Davis Richardson.

Lyall died on 24 September 1991 in Christchurch, Canterbury, at age 74.^1,4,5,3 He was buried on 14 December 1993 at the Memorial Park, Cnr Cypress St & Ruru Rd.⁶

Maisie Williams was born in New Zealand on 1 May 1910.¹

Maisie died between May 1910 and June 1910 in New Zealand.

Maud Williams was born on 2 November 1880 in Kumara, Westland.^1,2

Maud died on 25 December 1892 in Kumara, Westland, at age 12.^3,2