INTERESTING INCIDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1922, Page 5

INTERESTING INCIDENTS

(BI TSLEORAPH.—SPECIAL TO IHI COST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. Interesting incidents of early history were related by the Rev. C. A. Lawry at the Methodist Centenary' Missionary meeting. He told how, when the vessel with the Rev. Samuel Leigh arrived at Russell a hundred years ago, the great chief Hongi was returning from one of his raids. The missionary party threw a handful of biscuits into Hongi's canoe. The great Ngapuhi chief, said Mr. Lawry, was too distinguished a man to receive a present, even of biscuits, without making some return. He seized a 'boy from one of the slaves in the canoe, and threw him on board the vessel. Mr. Lawrie also related that there was a baby European on that vessel, and on another trip the little one was placed inside of a rope for safety. A sea broke over the vessel and washed the child overboard. The little Maori boy presented by Hongi to the missionary promptly, jumped into the sea and rescued the child. In 1816 that child was a missionary, and he saved Auckland from being swept by a Maori raid. Mr. • Lawry added very effectively: '! I know it is true, for he was 'my father," which evoked great applause. The speaker then told how the Maori boy was educated by missionaries, and was sent back to New Zealand. He forwarded a message to Te Heu Heu, a great chief,of the. Taupo tribes, stating that he would, visit him to tell about a new religion. Te Heu Heu replied : "If you do come I will kill you and eat you." The # teacher -went to Heu Heu, and was martyred for his faith. " His great grand-nephew in Robert Taku Poutiki Haddon, who will speak to you tonight," added Mr. Lawry.