Notes on the Author (The War Cry Articles)

Colonel Josiah Parsons Taylor and Kate Caroline Taylor’s leadership in New Zealand began with a welcome letter to Salvationists, published in The War Cry, 5 November 1887. The Taylors arrived in New Zealand from India, late in 1887, having served there and previously in England. In India Taylor had been Chief of Staff to the Indian missionary pioneer, Major Frederick Tucker (Later Booth-Tucker).

An able and efficient administrator, Colonel Taylor enjoyed meeting people and travelled widely. "Taylor … got on well with his officers and soldiers, and liked... making personal contacts. During his first twelve months he travelled 27,00 kilometres" - from Fight the Good Fight (Bradwell) p36. This was no mean feat considering the difficulties of transportation in that era.

Taylor claimed that by mid-1888 every town in New Zealand with a population over two thousand had a corps or was an outpost. He established the first divisional system where corps in New Zealand were organised by area, under a commanding divisional officer. Beginning with six divisions, corps were sectioned into brigades with sergeants and soldiers given specific responsibilities.

Taylor, in 1888 realised the need for a dedicated Salvation Army Māori ministry and established this in May 1888, at the fifth anniversary celebrations, in Christchurch (The Salvation Army began in Dunedin on 1 April 1883). He appointed Captain Ernest Holdaway, to begin work on the Whanganui River and later Holdaway became the divisional officer of the Māori Division.

In May 1890, Taylor opened the first men’s training garrison, in Christchurch, in Hardwick House, Oxford Terrace as a seventh anniversary project, and a women’s training garrison, in December 1890. He also pioneered the establishment of Rescue Homes for women. In October 1889, New Zealand became a separate territory from Australia with Colonel Taylor in charge. When he departed from New Zealand in March 1891, the New Zealand Territory had 67 corps and 212 officers and approximately 4,000 adult soldiers.

Taylor contributed many War Cry articles, including those documenting his extensive visits around the country. He wrote a 60-page book of his reflections of New Zealand, titled Three years in Maoriland (only a few copies exist). Josiah Taylor’s life story with image appeared on the cover of The War Cry 19 January 1889, with Kate Taylor featured in a full page War Cry article on 7 March 1891.

Kate and Josiah had two sons born in New Zealand, Frank Samuel Fetcher in 1889 and Cris Frederick in 1891. They arrived in New Zealand with three children, Kate, Arthur and Pryotama.