Good Templarism.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 9 (Supplement)

Good Templarism.

ITS FSTABLJSHAIENT IN POVERTY BAY.

VISIT OF BARON BE THIERRY JN ’75. “As Good Templarsm is for ihc benefit of all mankind, and not for a favored few,’’ commented the Poverty Bay “Standard” in March, 1875, “the executive o the Order in New Zealand have always wished to extend its benefits to the Maoris. For this purpose a commission was given to Baron de Thierry empowering him to form lodges amongst the Natives of the North Island. IT is success in Auckland and other places made him anxious to try the experiment here. He had conversations with various ministers and chiefs and the result was that last Sunday afternoon a runanga was held just outside the Maori church, Tmanganui, to hear the opinion of the Natives on the matter. - Several of the officers, with the Lodge Deputy of the Pioneer Lodge, Poverty Bay, were present to

show the Natives the movement had their approval and co-operation. Baron do Tnierry gave a long and interesting account of t.lio objects and benefits of the Order and the Rev. V. H. Root, on behalf of the Gisborne Lodge, expressed his cordial wishes for the prosperity of Good Templarism amongst them. Several came forward and signiliod their desire to join the society and Tuesday evening was appointed for the initiation- On that evening a. crowd of about 100 assembled round tho schoolhouse, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. LysnaiC From this crowd wore selected those only who had given in their names on the Sunday and these together with the pakehas, were initiated. Brother Best, V.C-.T., read tho English ritual and Baron do Thierry translated for the benefit of tho Maoris. Another hatch had been prepared, b"t it was too late, to proceed. The pleasing and hopeful feature in this movement is the - number of Native ministers who have joined it, being nearlv all between Turanganui and the East Cape. Some may sav the Maoris will never keep their obligation. Time will prove this; doubtless many will go back, but we believe not all. Tf we are to be deterred from attempting to 'do good bv predicted and possible failure we may stop- at once, for no good work was ever begun without sonic croakers predicting certain failure. As a fact out of 0!) Maoris initiated in other districts only two have violated their obligation, a far smaller proportion than among the pakelia lodges.”