MISSION CENTENARY

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 7 January 1930, Page 7

MISSION CENTENARY

FIRST IN DOMINION

WAIMATE NORTH’S HISTORY

CHARMING OLD-WORLD SPOT. Waimate North, which "'ill celebrate on Sunday, January 12, tjie centenary of its founding, as the first inland l mission station and settlement in New Zealand, is oiie of the most charming rural spots which North Auckland can show to visitors. The country in the vicinity is all rolling grass land and dumps of puriris and exotic trees are scattered at intervals over the landscape. Approaching from the direction of Oha-eawai, which is the main route from the south, the visitor has his first view of the village from the top of a long rise. Best seen in the glow of an afternoon. sun, the picture is one of peace and l quiet. It is a startling contrast with the busy little centres which, have sprung up in other parts of the North. A. metalled road, flanked by strips of volcanic dust, winds down to a sharp dip and then up the other side into the village itself

After crossing the dip, the observant visitor immediately senses the age oi the settlement. Cottages fast outliving their usefulness and gardens in which trees and shrubs have grown to large dimensions, speak of a glory which ha.s faded. Between tall pines the visitor passes until turning a. corner he comes suddenly on “the shopping area.” The •sole relic of a once lively little trading community is “the corner store,’ which also contains the post office. Waimate North does not thrust itself upon the visitor and thei*e are many who would pass through without giving the settlement more than a single thought.

LITTLE PROGRESS MADE.

Certainly, the march of progress has not been Wainiate’s way. Originally Te Waimate, it became simply Waimate until a newer, more flourishing Waimate grew up in the South. Then a practical-minded Government tacked on the “North” to save confusion in the delivery of mail. Jiist plainly rural, there was nothing which would attract an influx of settlers or residents. When other parts of New Zealand were settling large blo.cks of land, Waimate North was; already in the bands of a few farmers, while the natives themselves kept their own holdings. Possessing neither coal mines nor large timber tracts., it pursued its steady, unhurried way.

The' railway pafesed it by, pushing upwards through the metre productive land in the centre and west of the peninsula. Formerly it was on the direct main route to the Whangaroa and Mangonui districts and road traffic through the village was considerable. Even this is being lost. A new road through the Marigamuka Gorge has, diverted Ivaitaia and the Far North traffic, while rt road in course of construction from .Jtaeb to Okaihnu will also have its effect.

DISTRICT’S HISTORICAL INTEREST.

However, the district holds much ot historical interest and there are many spots to which old nidmbfibs cling. But the visitor must be shown these, as no placards are posted to supply the information. It is u revelation to accompany an old settler round the village and hear the wealth of inform.atim which can he given regarding commonplace spots. Over there stands the oldest oak tree in New Zealand, which recently , celebrated a centenary of its own. The seed was brought to New Zealand and planted on the coast. When in the nursery stage the tree Was almost lost in a fire, but it was saved from such a. fate and was carefully transplanted at Waimate North. On a mound nearby was where the first flourmill in New Zealand was operated. Other spots where once missionary buildings stood and where momentous eyent:-v tfcqurred) can be shown and their significance explained.

It was in 1830 that Te Wains.te was selected by the' Rev. Samuel Marsdbh as the. site for an island m>« i< n station. Writing beforehand lie said: “When the missionaries have got ah interior station ... I Shall consider the mission permanently established.” Previously the natives had been unwilling to allow entry to the interior, but the proposal 10 establish a mission at Tie Waimate was greeted with enthusiasm.

Three cottages, built of puriri, were erected for the missionaries and in’ 1.831 Messrs. George Clarke. Richard Davis and James Hamlin took up their residence in the district. It is interesting to record that the goods paid in exchange for the >0 aci.'s of land purchased wore: 40 gallons of lamp oil. 80 rugs, 801 b. of tobacco, 36 belts, one pair of duck trousers, 80 blankets, one red shirt. 72 combs, 12 axes, 30.012 fish hooks. 60 plane irons. 30 hoes. 60 knives, 36 chisels 60 scissors and 45 iron pots. FIRST CHURCH BUILT

e first church was built of kauri and was opened in July, 1831. U took six weeks to build, being ceWed entirely by native labourers, several i> hom were trained at the mission Ration on the coast. Congregations grew larger and preparaions were made for the building .of a much dhureh. In 1837, Marsden paid his last visit to New Zealand, being then an old man and requiring to he .carried across by natives from the Hokianga Harbour. It was a triumphant procession, and everywhere the Maoris “would sit with their eyes riveted upon him,” saying when asked to withdraw. “we wish to have a verv long and steadfast look at our old friend, for we shall never see him again.” Staving some time at Te Waimate. Marsden wrote. “It is the most moral and orderly place I ever was in . . . CLAIMS OF W ATM ATE NORTH.

The new building was completed in 1839 —a. year after the death of Marsden . This building was capable of seating 400. hut sometimes a congregation of as many as 1000 assembled. The binding was demolished in 1871. when a new church, whi'h is now standing, was erected. , The second church was used bv Bishop Selwyn, now serving as a college chapel and as the first cathedral in New Zealand. The first svn'od in tlm hhlo-v >f the Ciiureh of New Zealand was held there in 1844.

It is claimed for Waimate North that it was the cradle of successful farming and of s.emidmv education of New Zealand. St. Jim's College was onen'od there in 1842 with seven students' Collegiate schools for English and Maori hoys, a Maori infant hoarding school and Maori girls’ school was established. For many years the college continued to

train for the ministry and disseminate education.

In comparison with other early established towns. Waimate North has had an untroubled history. Away from the coast, it saw little of the viciousnesis of a whaling depot, while no mining industries grew up to attract a proportionately undesirable population. Cven during Hone Heke’s war, it saw little of the fighting. The village was usedi as a station for troops, who engaged the natives in the direction of Oheawai. The present church of St. John Baptist is prettily situated among large trees on a slight rise above the road. It is approximately on the site of the former buildings. Close by. the “village preacher’s modest mansion” stands in the centre of a charming garden, which is now looking at its best. It is the only one of the original cottages remaining, and it has now become historic.