MISSION CENTENARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1929, Page 11

MISSION CENTENARY

■ BAY OF ISLANDS CEREMONIES. ■ 1 (Per Press Association.) . TAURANGA, December 2. Friday last marked the centenary of the arrival in New Zealand, at the Bay of Islands, of Alfred Nesbitt Brown, a young Church of England missionary. With his wife he remained there a few years, and then founded a mission station at Matamata in 1835, but that had to be abandoned owing to the Native unrest. He came to Tauranga in January 1838, to take charge of the mission station already founded by himself in the previous year. From then till the time of his death in 1884 he remained here, passing through many troublous times, particularly the eventful years culminating in the Battle of Gate Pa, on April 28, 1864, and Te Ranga six weeks later. He was created the Past Archdeacon of Tauranga. in 1844. The centenary was marked yesterday by a memorial service held at the Elms, now the home of Misses Maxwell, on the site of the old mission chapel, the old mission bell being rung again for the first time in many years. The service was conducted by Archdeacon Chatterton, of Rotorua, assisted by Rev. Mr Hall, vicar of Tauranga and Rev. Mr Tumshahi, Rev. Mr Wikiawha and Rev. Mr Tikao. A large number were present, including several old residents, who attended the mission chapel before any otheichurch existed here. Boisterous wind and sea prevented the attendance of the Maori choir from across the harbour, but a number of Natives were present and were addressed by. Mr Tikao. The bell was tolled by Mr C. J. Tunks, an old Tauranga boy, now a resident of Auckland, and the Maori Chief Roohau Piahata. Brief and inspiring addresses were given by Archdeacon Chatterton.