KAWHIA MISSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 8

KAWHIA MISSION

Methodist Centenary PLANS FOR CELEBRATION Great preparations are being made by both Maoris and Europeans for the celebrations at Kawhia in connection with the Methodist South Auckland Centenary on November 23 and 24, The .Methodist Church officially commenced Its work in' New Zealand in 1822 in North Auckland. The pioneer missionary. Bev. Samuel Leigh, who took up pls residence there at that time, had visited New Zealand, at the request ot the Bev. Samuel Marsden--at an earlier date before there was any resident clergyman’in these islands, and on that occasion had accomplished some very valuable work. The Bev. Samuel Marsden’s motnev was a Methodist, and Marsden and Leigh were great friends.

After long consultation, it was agreed between the lenders of the missions thdt the. Methodist Church should concentrate its ■ efforts . chiefly on the western side of the North Auckland peninsula, and a very vigorous work was carried on in Hokianga. In the meantime the Anglican Mission, which had been, established by the Rev. Samuel Marsden’s' band of lay missionary pioneers eight, years before the commencement of Leigh’s official residence in New- Zealand, developed rapidly on the eastern side,. wielding a great Influence in those ureas. The Anglican anil Methodist were the only two churches represented in New Zealand in those (lavs.

By 1830 overtures were being made to both these pioneer missions to extend their operations further south, and by 1834 both had established themselves in the South Auckland district, the Methodist appointees to their western area belug Revs. John Whiteley, James Wallis, and William Woon, who settled at Lemon I’oint, Aotea, and Waiugaro. Revs. Wallis and Whiteley were delayed through church building and exploration work in the north, and did not arrive ni South Auckland until early in 1835. but Rev. William Woon took up his residence at Kawhia in November, 1834.

A beautifully-designed church of reinforced ferro-concrete construction and a parsonage, are to lie erected, ou ideal sites centrally situated in the Kawhia towusliip. as the centenary memorial, and at 10.30 a.in. on November 24, the Maori King, Korokl Tawhiiio Te Tuarima, will, lay the foundation stone of the church, itnd an hour later his spouse, Ku ini’Te Ata, will lay the foundation stojqff of the parsonage. J Generous contributions from church funds, ns well’as from Individuals, are being made toward this project, and tenders for the erection of the church are to be called immediately. The parsonage will be. erected by day labour under. the direction of the Revs. C. Strand and Plko Hikuroa.