Rev. William James Gow, Minister of the Presbyterian Church, Ferry Road, Christchurch, was born at Carmyllie, Forfarshire, Scotland, and is the eldest son of the late Rev. John Gow, of Opotiki, Auckland. He primary education was received at the Free Church school in Carmylife. He came to New Zealand with his parents in the “Robert Henderson,” which arrived at Port Chalmers in November, 1865. They proceeded to Lyttelton, where his father was minister for about two years. Mr. Gow attended Mr. John Ross's school for a time, and was afterwards at the High School in Christchurch. He engaged in commercial life for a few years, after which he attended Otago University to prosecute his arts course, preparatory to the work of the ministry, and entered the theological college under Professor Salmond and Rev. Dr. Watt, compieting his curriculum in 1883. He was first sent by the Church Extension Committee to the important gold-mining district of Reefton to organise the Presbyterian cause. This work being successfully accomplished, he received a call to the Reefton church, where he ministered for about eight years. On his departure from Reefton, he was presented with a handsome illuminated address by the L.O.G.T., and a purse of sovereigns by his congregation. In 1891, he received a unanimous call to the Kaiapoi church, and laboured there very successfully for nearly ten years. In December, 1900, Mr. Gow received a unanimous call to St. Peter's Church, Ferry Road, Christchurch, where he continues to receive much encouragement in his work. Mr. Gow was married in 1886 to the second daughter of Mr. Robert Taylor, of Invercargill. His wife, greatly lamented by all who knew her, died somewhat suddenly in July, 1901, leaving four children.