CATHOLIC MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1934, Page 7

CATHOLIC MAORIS

ARCHBISHOP WELCOMED

CEREMONY .AT OTAKI

If any proof were needed of tho liigh regard in which his Grace Ajrchbishop' Redwood is held by his people among, the Native race, it was provided by the , spontaneous welcome accorded him at the Otaki Catholic Maori Mission yes-' terday. His Grace nnd over a hundred of tho clergy attending the jubilee celebrations, as well as a largo number of the laity, made tho trip from Wellington in _ motor-cars. Awaiting them 'on arrivalat the mission, which is situated at the historic Puke Karaka, wero the missioner, Father Eiordan, S.M.; his assistant, Father McSherry, S.M.; Mr Taite te Tomo, M.P.; Father Melu, S.M., who for over sixty years was in charge of the Otaki mission district; Mr. T. O'Rourkc, Mayor of Otaki, and Mrs. O'Rourko; and many members of the Maori congregation and local residents. The haka of welcome on the marae below the picturesque hill after which the mission site was named was led by Mr. Te'Tomo, wio was in full Maori costume. Applause followed tho presentation of a Maori mat to his Grace by the missioner, and then came the speeches of welcome in Maori, the interpreter being; tho- Rev." Paul to Muera, an Anglican missionary. The speakers were-the Eev. Toko Aitua te Muera, TVai Mafama Hawiki Eangi, representing tho East Coast Natives, a striking figure in Maori garb ' whose impassioned address created a profound impression, and Mr. te Tomo. Reference was made by the speakers to the importance of the occasion, the loyalty of the Catholic Maoris to the Church and their archbishop, and tho historical significance of, the ■ mission, which was bounded in 1844. • ' '" • A SEA OF MEMORY. Father Eiordan, whose ' address was translated into Maori for the benefit of the hundreds of Natives present, said that they rejoiced to have his Grace with them. ," Today," he said, "my heart is like a harbour to which a thousand ships are returning across the sea of memory laden with a freight of love. My mind is a hive to which are homing a thousand honeyed memories.'' His Grace had been a friend to them all, and for over 60 years Almighty God had blessed his reign. It was tho singular prida of the Maori mission that it was in tho fertilo soil of Maori hearts that the late Mother Mary Aubert, God's fairest gift to New Zealand, founded the Order of tho Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion. Father Riordan said it was their earnest prayer and hope that Archbishop Redwood would be spared to raise a member'- of the Maori race to' the dignity of priesthood of the Catholic Church and so bring a crowning joy to the people who loved ihim.Archbishop Redwood, in replying, sa'id that the magnificent welcome and the. many memories brought to his mind touched him very much. * He remembered many of the missionaries who first came to New Zealand from Europe. Many of them had been his friends and did great good to his soul. If he was present as the archbishop,and friend of the Catholic Maoris he owed it to one of those holy missionojs who raised his heart to. God^and caused him to devote hjs life to the service of God.' He hoped that God would' bring consolation and grace to the Maori people, and thereafter eternal happiness. "I shall keep a?happy memory of this for.ever, as Idhg as God gives mo life." concluded his- Grace.« . , . . , v |.JEK«aAj>ostOlic->Wesßiiigi\vas«-g!v«n"'to theSnissjon:'and"'.te>'minated''': tne 'fbrinaf proceedings, after which prominent' Maoris wero presented to Archbishop Bcdwood and distinguished members of the party, including Archbishop Mannix, of Melbourne. - > , ; Prior to luncheoiii'being served, the visitors inspected > the Maori < umus (ovens) where food was being prepared, and also showed 'their interest iri tjie other features of the mission.

In' the afternoon a Maori concert w.asjgiven on the marae, some of the participants in one of the poi dances i being women who appeared before their Majesties tho King and Queen when I they visited N]ew Zealand as the Duke I and 'Duchess of York many years ago. '