MAORI SERVICEMEN

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1943, Page 2

MAORI SERVICEMEN

REQUIEM MASS .AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. The Church of St. Mary of the Angels was filled this morning when there was a special Requiem Mass for Maori soldiers, sailors and airmen who have fallen during the war. Archbishon O’Shea, Metropolitan of New Zealand, presided at the Throne. The assistants were the Very Rev. Father J. Stewart, S.M., parish priest at St. Mary’s and the Very Rev. Father McGrath, S.M., Island Bay, editor of the Marist missionary periodical the “Marist Messenger.” The celebrant wa<? the Rev. Father A. Pennington, S.M., Otaki, and the altar servers two Maori pupils of Silverstream. The choir was comprised of Maoris and the hymns were sung in the native tongue. Mrs. Love, supreme chieftainess oi Raratonga, occupied a special priedieu. Among the Maoris present were Lady Pomare, Mr. R . Pomare. Mr. Love, sen, father of the late Colonel Love, Mr. Kingi Tahiwi, Mr. Mani; hera Keremeneta, Captain Tahiwi, Mrs. Heketa, Mr. T. Parata and Mr. F. Katene. The Government was represented by the Minister of Native Affairs (Hon. H. G. R. Mason). Mrs. Fraser was also present. The sermon was delivered by Father Riordan, who paid a tribute to the dead and exhorted the living to uphold the tradition of sacrifice unto death if need be for the cause of juctice and truth.