DARK DEED RECALLED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 September 1927, Page 7

DARK DEED RECALLED.

MI R )>EK OF REV. T. BAKER. 1

ERECTION OF FIJI •MEMORIAL n

SUVA, August 8

A. band of clergy connected witih tha Fiji Methodist Mission, together with tlie Rev. Arnoxli Staokhon.se. of the Church, of England at ievulca. have just completed a pilgrimage to G-aga-dclevatu, where, in July, 1867, the Rev. Thomas Maker was murdered. While loading a mission in order to induce the head chief of Naitasiri to allow him to establish schools. Mr Maker was clubbed bv socr-ct order of this same chief, who sent his orders bv a whale’s tooth.

The great ideal which Mr Baker sought has been commemorated by the ereeton of a fine hall at Davuileivu on the Rewa river. The journey to the tableland centre of Vi-ti Levu necessitated a heavy climb, full of physical difficulties. Many mountain streams had to he crossed, and narrow native paths traversed on foot, butt the .pairty of pilgrims safely reached their destination. Everywhere the party were assisted bv willing and friendly nat i ves. At the spot' where the murder was committed a, .small cairn has been, erected. and here. a. .solemn service was carried out in the presence of the descendants of those men who did tlie fell deed. There was even one old chief who. actually as a. bov saw the crini® committed. He said in a speech that he had been the first child to he baptised in the district. Rev. A. I). Lelean conducted the sendee and the Rev. Mr Cain, of Melbourne, gave an address. The old chief said that among Mr Baker’s effects were many hooks. They could not discover the use of the books, but fin dine that the leave*.- would tear out. they used them as wads for their guns.