METHODIST CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17264, 4 September 1916, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH.

HOME MISSION WORK

The Home Mission work is one of tho most important features of tho New Zealand Church, and in order to stini'u'ato additional interest in tho various congregations it is customary to arrange for deputations to visit the various parts of the Dominion. This year tho Canterbury people will have an opportunity of hearing the Rev Ropata Taku Potiki Haddon, who as an English sneaker is regarded as eloquent 'and in Maori as an orator. Mr Had Jon was born in Hokianga in 1868, his mother belonging to Ngatimanui, the principal tribe of the Waimate plains, Taranaki. At a very early age Mr? Haddon's mother was adopted by the grandfather of tho Rev A. C. Lawry, president of the conference, now stationed at St Albans. Under the influence of the early missionaries she became attached to the Church. She died in 1884, having exerted a good Christian influence over her famdy. The Rev Ropata Haddon becamo a minister of the Methodist Church, and iu 1898 went to Three Kings College for training, and subsequently returned to Taranaki as a missionary. Four years later ho was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Church. At tho general election of 1908 Mr Haddon was strongly pressed to become a candidate for a Native constituency but preferred to continue his ministerial work. He is a strong nolicense advocate, and did much to provent tho drink traffic to tho Maoris in tho King Country.