MISSION CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1934, Page 11

MISSION CENTENARY

TE AWAMUTU SERVICES

MAORIS AND EUROPEANS

Encouraging and inspiring services, in which large numbers of Maoris and Europeans took part, marked the continuation on Sunday of the centenary celebrations of the establishment of the Church ot England Mission at To Awnmutii, states the "New Zealand Herald.1' Holy Communion was celebrated in .St. John's Church at 8 a.m., and at 10 a.m. a children's service was conducted by the vicar of Te Awamutu (the Hew S. R. Wareing). The To Awamutu company of.Girl Guides formed part of the congregation, and a large Hag presented to the- company by the Mayoress (Mrs. C. G. Downs) was dedicated by Bishop "Williams, of Waiapu. The main event of the day was the service held at 11 a.m. at Selwyn Park, Ihe site of the college established by the early missionaries ■ for the education of Maori children. Perfect weather prevailed,- and over 1000 people attended, including many Waikato and Maniapoto-Maoris.. . DELIGHTFUL SETTING TOE SERVICE. Beautiful trees surrounded the congregation and provided a delightful setting for. the service. One of the trees, a giant chestnut, had boon planted by the missionaries and has remaiued as a living memorial to them and their work. Accommodated on lorries were Bishop Williams, Bishop Bennett, Archdeacon Horiraiti, Canon K. A. Karaka, Mr. Wareing, and the Rev. E. C. Aires. The interests of both the Maoris and Europeans were preserved in the service, which was impressive and inspiring. Mr. Wareing conducted the service and tho Morriusville Maori choir, led by Canon Karaka, sang the hymns unaccompanied in Maori. Bishop Williams read tho lirst lesson in English, and Canon Karaka the second lesson in Maori, while Bishop Bennett preached the sermon in English. Bishop Bennett said it was with a souse of very great gratitude that the congregation" had gathered that day to celebrate a great event in the > history of missionary efforts in New Zealand. There were many distinguished Maoris of Waikato and Maniapoto present, including Princess Te Puea Horangi and her associates. There were also present old Natives who remembered the missionaries and the Maori waTS. Nothing could be more inspiring, said tho bishop, than to sec the Maoris and Europeans meeting together on common ground and lifting their -hearts in gratitude to God for His many blessings. . ■ INFLUENCE OF MISSIONARIES. Tlio bishop said the influence of those missionaries whoso passing . was being lamented that day was still present and active in the work of extending the Kingdom of God. The speaker referred to the heroes of the Maori wars, both pakeha and Maori, and mentioned the bravo stand taken by Eowi Mauiapoto and Ms people at Orakau. Bishop Bennett urged the pakehas to do all they could for the spiritual and material welfare of the Maoris who now remained in tho district. The Maori was a brother of tho pakeha, not a. burden, aud it was the duty and responsibility of the pakehas to carry on the work initiated by the early missionaries, and to extend the Kingdom of God by their influence with them. Concluding, Bishop Bennett sjjid he had been delighted to note in tho last few years that the. old feeling of resentment experienced by-. Waikato Maoris particularly was dying out. He had observed, a greater unity of spirituality among them, and he paid a tributo to tho work of the Bishop of Waikato and. his Maori clergy in bringing about a better understanding between Maoris and pakehas. The centenary celebrations- of the Te Awamutu parish would, ho said, be- a source of great inspiration and encouragement to the Maoris. GATHERING AT BANGIAOHIA. The visiting Maoris wore entertained at luncheon by a local committee, and a cordial welcome was extended to them and to Bishop Williams and Bishop Bennett by Mr. Wareing. The. object of tho committee, ho said, was to make the Maori the chief part of the celebration and to raise £1000 to renovate tho old churches of the parish. Several prominent Natives replied. ■ The Maoris especially were remembered in a service arranged for them and hold at Rangiaolua on Sunday afternoon. Tho Maori language was used throughout the service, a, feature of which was the singing of the Morriusville choir. Canon Karaka conducted the service and Bishop Williams was the* preacher. Bishop Bennett aud Archdeacon Horiraiti also took part. Bishop Williams said it was remarkable to find the Maoris taking part, in the service.in such largo numbers and with such devotion. He urged -the Maori not to look back, but to look forward and see that no rift occurred again with the pakeha. Prayers wore offered by Bishop. Bennett and the benediction was prononneed by Bishop Williams. Over 700 people attended the evensong in tho Regent Theatre on Sunday evening. The service was conducted by the vicar, who was assisted by Bishop Bonnet t and Mr. Aires. An augmented choir led the-singing of: special hymns and sang the anthem-"Send Out Thy Light,"