CHURCH CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 58, 10 March 1938, Page 7

CHURCH CENTENARY

MEMORIAL IN NORTH

CELEBRATIONS OVER

UNREHEARSED INCIDENT

(By I'elegrapii—Preat Association.)

KOHUKOHU, March 9,

Gathered about the plinth that commemorates the landing of Bishop Pompallier on New Zealand soil, descendants of the first Maori converts of the Roman Catholic Church today presented to his Excellency Archbishop Panico an illuminated address in two languages, telling of their memory of the missionary bishop and their gratitude for the faith he had brought. v

Couched in the picturesque language of the race it gave a welcome to the Apostolic Delegate. It said: "My Lord, Archbishop Pompallier brought you hither from far away beyond the sea. Welcome ye, part of that rock which holds the anchor of St. Peter-in the sea\ of Rome. Welcome to you and all distinguished prelates from distant countries. You have been brought hither by, three mighty seas, Ngarunui, Ngaruroa, and Ngarupaewhenua. These were the three mighty waves thaj brought Bishop Pompallier across the sea of Kiwa to this land, Te Ika a Maui, in the year 1838. Welcome to ye holy sons of the Church to this historic spot, ,Te Totara. From here Bishop Pompallier commenced his noble work, spreading the faith among our people. Bishop Pompallier made peace of this land. We, who are descendants of our elders, who first- embraced the faith and / are assembled here, too, are I grateful to Bishop Pompallier for guiding us." In his address Archbishop Panico also recalled the memorable journey of Bishop Pompallier and his great work among the Maoris throughout New Zealand, and expressed pleasure that the Maoris gathered today, should retain the faith the missionaries brought.

MAORI YOUTHS CAUSE SURPRISE.

Two Maori youths .introduced a unique note into the farewell to the Apostolic Delegate given by the Maoris at Totara Point this afternoon. While thousands of Maoris and pakehas lined the bank of the river, these two concealed themselves in the delegate's launch and, when the craft was in midstream, suddenly emerged. '_ Archbishop Panico had just risen to wave a smiling farewell to his hosts of the day when the two Maoris confronted him with a fearsome gesture and chanted a haka. He apparently enjoyed the tribute and raised his hand In salutation. It was promptly seized and shaken, and the two daring Maoris (lived from the launch and struck out for the shore. '■■•■■■..: ■ ■ ■

• During the afternoon his Excellency had been entertained by various tribal groups who had in turn presented, through the chiefs and elders, an or a-; torical tribute. Tribal representatives from as far . south 'as Hawke's Bay joined in the gesture of friendship, and one, Waimarama Pukara, on behali of the. Maori Marist Missions, paid the compliment of claiming Archbishop Panico as a fellow-chief. As a further gesture of esteem, the Archbishop was presented with a chieftain's shoulder mat, which he wore on his departure.

Down at the landing-stage was practicallyr the whole Maori encampment. Hundreds ,of visitors, crowded the .bluffs overlooking the river and the farewell scene was enacted amid the wailing songs of Maori women; '. •"

" His Excellency will spend the night at Kaikbhe and tomorrow will visit the Waitaruke Native- convent at Whangaroa, ■ returning to Auckland later in the week and sailing for Australia ion Monday. ■'..,'■

Though the major guests of honour had departed, the end of'the hui had not yet come., Tonight the Rev. Father Owen Dudley, Superior, of the Roman Catholic Missionary Society in ■ London, delivered through an interpreter his famous address, "Why I Became a Catholic," and there j were further tribal koferos. For days still the Maoris will live in the camp, clearing up after the, hui:' That will be no easy task, but it will be lighter than that experienced during the past few days. ,The Ngapuhi tribe has been most hospitable, and guests' have been treated regally, particularly in the^ matter of food. ' Tremendous supplies 6i eatables have been consumed, and yesterday's luncheon menu comprised twelve bullocks, nine pigs,' and 900' fowls, in addition to many tons of| kumeras, potatoes, fruit salads, trifles, watermelons, cake, and bread. '