The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Habens, Rev. William James
Habens, Rev. William James, B.A., Inspector-General of Schools, New Zealand, was born at Brighton in 1839, and educated at Puget School, in that town, and at Hackney College, London. In 1862 he graduated at the London University, and in Jan. 1864 went to New Zealand as minister of Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch, a position which he held till July 1878. From Jan. 1877 to May 1878 he was Secretary to the Canterbury Board of Education, and in April 1878 was appointed Inspector-General in the New Zealand Education Department. In 1879 to 1880 Mr. Habens was a member of the Royal Commission to inquire into the operations of the New Zealand University and its relations to the secondary schools. He also acted as secretary to the commission, and in 1880 was appointed a Fellow of the New Zealand University. Since 1886 he has performed the duties of Secretary for Education in addition to those of Inspector-General.