BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 December 1928, Page 9

BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.

TRIBUTE PAID TO NEW BISHOP

CALL TO MAORI CHURCH MEMBERS.

(By Telegraph—lresa Association.)

HASTINGS, Dec. 3

A large gathering of Maoris from the North Island, including Sir Apirana Ngata, the boys from Te Ante College, and the girls from Hulrurere School, as well as the visiting bishops and a number of pakehas, assembled at Pakipaki yesterday afternoon to pay a tribute to the Rev. Mr. Bennett, the new Bishop of Aoteai'oa. Speeches were delivered by local and visiting chieftain.

Sir Apirana Ngata, on behalf of the natives, thanked the general synod for creating an assistant bishop to supervise the work amongst the Maoris, and in response the Maori people would have to make good. The new bishop faced tremendous responsibilities, but with the goodwill and support of the Maori clergy and laity Jiis work would be made much easier. He emphasised the fact that the work of the Church must be adapted to the needs of the Maori race, while the fundamentals should remain intact.

The Primate, in reply, said it was well to learn to walk before learning to run, but he knew some desired to see a step yet further forward. He hoped, if the present experiment were a success, to establish a definitely Maori diocese. It depended on how the Maoris backed it up.