MAORI BISHOP IN WAIKATO.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20898, 4 July 1933, Page 5

MAORI BISHOP IN WAIKATO.

A PASTORAL VISIT. CHIEF 73 YEARS OF AGE CONFIRMED. ITHE PEESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, July 3. Interesting references to a pastoral visit to the Waikato by the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, are made by Archdeacon Hori Raiti, of Huntly, in the Waikato Diocesan Magazine. The archdeacon states that the Maoris at Te Taniwha had prepared a splendid dinner in the bishop's honour. There was a wonderful variety of pakeha foods. The bishop, however, did not have any of the pakeha food and contented himself with kumera and eels, the simple dishes of his ancestors.

In thanking the people for their reception, the bishop appealed to them to provide the simplest native foods during his visits in future, and not. to spend anything on expensive dishes

At Te Kauwhata, a man and his wife, aged 68 and 65 respectively, and all their family were confirmed. A service at Te Akau was made memorable by the fact that a chief 73 years of age was confirmed.

Archdeacon Hori Raiti said that for the first time in his 20 years' ministry in the district, he had received an invitation to conduct a baptismal service at Waahi, near Huntly, the home of the Maori "King." The parents of the candidate were Mormons, but they had now returned to the church of their forefathers.

A touching incident occurred during the bishop's visit to Gordonton. The daughter of a leading chief, Tame Pene, had been prepared for confirmation, but had died before the time of the service. After the burial service, her father made a very touching oration at the graveside. Addi-essing the bishop he said: "We were much depressed at the loss of our dear daughter, but since you have come to lay her to rest, I have come out of darkness into light. I live again. Although you were not able to lay your hands upon my daughter in the confirmation service, your presence and your comforting words over er mortal remains will more than compensate for our disappointment at her not being confirmed.