MORMONISING THE MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 130, 1 June 1908, Page 9

MORMONISING THE MAORIS.

STUDENTS' COLLEGE NEAR HASTINGS. A MORMON MAORI MISSION SCHEME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Sunday. Eider Rufus K. Hardy, the haad of the Mormon Mission in New Zealand, gave a " Daily Telegraph " reporter some details of his church's work at Bridge Fa, near Hastings, where it is intended to establish an institution at an expenditure of about £8000. In the course of the interview Elder Hardy said that, within tiie past four months, the Mormons had purchased 130 acres of gooi land at Bridge Pa. and had an option over another 130 acres. On this ground it was intended to establish a sort of college to impart a little higher education to young Maori men than they received at ordinary schools, and at the same time train them manually in such industries as they showed a preference for. and as were afforded by the Dominion. I When the buildings are erected the Mormon mission will be able to accommodate a hundred students, and a capable staff of teachers will instruct them, amongot other things in scientific farming, stock-raising, carpentry, blacksmithing, engineering, draughtsmanship, etc., the idea being to place in the hands of the young Maori a trade or profession enabling them to become skilful, indepen- i dent, and self-supporting citizens. Ploughing has been commenqeti, and'erops will be | put in. Plans of the buildings have been prepared. The mission will take anyone, irrespective of creed, who will conform to the rules of the establishment, the only qualification necessary being a desire for learning, freedom from the use of alcohol and tobacco, and absence of moral taint; but the main thing is that the pupils must not use alcohol or tobacco, and all I this is to be done free of charge. Money for the land and buildings or fquipment has not come from the natives nor from anyone in New Zealand, but lias been given by the Mormon Church as a whole, and sent here from Salt Lake City. j Part of the staff will come from America, but some will, of necessity, be practical, up-to-date New Zealanders, with a thorough knowledge of local conditions. It is also anticipated that a great deal of the machinery for equipping the various departments will be of modern American j manufacture. It is intended to expeii- j ment with the best of stock, and if the land proves good the mission will probably go in for horticulture. -i !