John Hobbs 1800 - 1883: Wesleyan Missionary to the Ngapuhi Tribe of Northern New Zealand. Author(s): Williment, T. M. I. Hardback 1st edition.

John Hobbs 1800 - 1883: Wesleyan Missionary to the Ngapuhi Tribe of Northern New Zealand. Author(s): Williment, T. M. I.

Hardcover, excellent near new condition, dust jacket creased, scuffed edges, small mark to front cover.

ISBN 9780477012645 Publisher: Government Printer, Wellingtron, 1985, 1st edition.

In 1816, John Hobbs joined the Wesleyan Church. He became a lay preacher, like his father, three years later. At the end of 1822, Hobbs emigrated to Van Dieman's land in Tasmania, Australia to do missionary work among the convicts. Shortly after his arrival in 1823, however, he was persuaded to offer his services to the New Zealand Mission instead.[3] He arrived in Paihia, New Zealand, on 3 August 1823, and proceeded to begin his mission at Wesleydale, the Wesleyan mission at Kaeo. Hobbs' ability to communicate with the Maori people in their tongue made him popular amongst the Maori population and became "unofficial counsellor to several influential chiefs".[3] Even with Hobbs' help, the Ngati Pou chief of Whangaroa, Te Ara (George), found it difficult to protect the mission in Wesleydale. After Te Ara's death in 1827, the missionaries in the area were forced to flee to the Bay of Islands after hostile natives attacked the station. Hobbs returned to Sydney, Australia, and was ordained. Wesleyan authorities in Sydney were unwilling to abandon their missionary efforts in New Zealand, and established a new mission in the Hokianga district where thriving European businesses already existed. They placed Hobbs in charge of establishing the new station.

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