SOUTH ISLAND METHODISM

Evening Star, Issue 22891, 24 February 1938, Page 5

SOUTH ISLAND METHODISM

CENTENARY COMKIEmATION NEW CHURCH AT OTAKOU PROPOSED [Peb United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 23. A proposal to commemorate the centenary of _ Methodism in the South Island, which is also the centenary of Christianity in the South Island, was described to the Methodist Conference to-day. Representatives from Dunedin pointed out that the first mission in the South Island was a Methodist one at Otakou, near Dunedin. There was still a community of about 100 Maoris there as well as 200 pakehas, and thousands visited Otakou for week-ends and on holidays. The old church was still standing, and the Methodist Church was still the only one active in the district. The building, it was stated, was beyond repair, and it was proposed to erect a-new church on the site. The Maoris had given an acre of ground on which the church stood, and asked that the new one be decorated inside in Maori style, and that a “ sanctuary museum,” where they could place their tribal relics and' photographs of early chiefs, should be included. It was hoped, also, to erect a cairn at least at Karitane, which was the site of early mission activities, but which had passed ’out of the hands of the church. It was pointed out that the Maoris of the district were poor and unable to assist more in the erection of the proposed church, but certain donations had been received from Europeans. Several speakers were enthusiastically in favour of the project, and the conference supporting the proposal, it was decided that a retiring collection be taken up in the Methodist churches throughout New Zealand in July to obtain funds. Several representatives commended the idea of using Maori interior decorations.