RATANA SCHISM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 15

RATANA SCHISM.

CHURCH AND BURIAL

GROUND

QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP

[THE PBESS Special Serrice.J

AUCKLAND, February 1

During a silting of the Native Land Court nt Ahipara. Judge Achoson presiding n dispute between Ilatana followers ami the Air' -u Maoris of Pukepoto was heard, when Hcrcpcti Rapihauna made application to have tho trusteeship of tho Native Church and burial grounds at Pukepoto Tested in tho General Trust Board of the Church of England. On Lebalf of the Anglican Maoris, Mr J 13 Reynolds stated that the application had arison out of the coming of a new religion, that of Ratana. The ch. .ch at Pukepoto had been built out of funds collected by the Church of England people, and a large donation tow-urd the fund'was sent out from England. Church services had been conducted under tho supervision of tlie Archdeacon of Waimnto. and burial services were also conducted. Dissension had arisen through tho followers of Ilatana desiring to conduct burial service* according to their creed. »• Anglican Church had a special burial service, and feeling was very strong Anglican Maoris had no objection to the Ratana followers usinjj that burial ground, provided that this service, which had been specially drawn up by the Bishop of Auckland, was used, and Church of England clergymen officiated. The »Katana section objected to tnis service for , Nonconformist, and t&e between tho two factions. The Judge stated that the Native Land Court had power to determine the ownership of n burial ground, and to vest the ownership in any person or persons. T Evidence whs then hoard. Hcnaro Puhipi conducted tho case for Ratana followers, his brother, Hami Puhipi, being the chief witness. ~ ~, Hnmi Puhipi stated that his father. Timoti Puhipi, had been an elder and a founder of the Church of England in. Pukepoto His father would not have wished ' to exclude anyohe from Ine burial ground, no matter what... Ins creed might bet He, witness, was on Anglican, and his brother had gorte over to'Ratana. He wanted the strifo to cease, and he thought- the Ratatia section shodld be admitted .to the ground and allowed to bury their dead in their own way. Hcnaro Puhipi said that tho service provided for Nonconformists was only fit for animals, for. beasts. Tho Judge said he knew the burial service in question. There was nothing dishonourable ill tho service. He was a Presbyterian, but he would not mind if he were buried with that service. However, he quite sympathised with tho desire of the Ratnnn followers to- burv their dead in their twn way, and ho fell it was a pitv that a sect which had so many adherents should try to intrude on Anglican grounds which had been set aside for Church of England pcopje so mnnv years p»o He honed Ratana followers would see their way to, settine " burial urouiul of thin uttn. A* the next sitting of the Court trustees would be appointed, who Would transfer their, interest in the ground tc-tho General Trust Board of the Church of England.