CHURCH AT MAROTIRI.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 19 April 1934, Page 2

CHURCH AT MAROTIRI.

link with bishop hadfield. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, April 18. At Marotiri tho Nativos are rc-erecting the old Maori church “Turonga,” which they demolished in the early part of 1931. The church was originally erected in 184 b by tlie Native people for Bishop Hadfield, and was tho second oldest cliurch on this coast, that at Otaki, known as “Rangiatea,” being the first place of worship built by tho Maori people of this part of tho 15 The church at Marotiri was constructed solely from two huge totara trees which grew in the bush at Tiakitahuna. I hoy were felled by the Rangitano tribe, dragged to the Manawatu River, and floated down to Marotiri where they were sawn up in Native pit saw fashion, and the church constructed. All the sub-tribes of the Ngatiraukawa tribe assisted in the work, hundreds of Natives participating under the supervision of Bishop Hadfield. When the building was completed it was called ‘ Turonga” after the great _ ancestor of the Maori people, and Maoris from all parts of tho district used to visit it for Divine worship, coming from the upper and lower reaches by canoe. The church was in use until 1925 when it was declared unsafe owing to the decay of the foundations. In 1931 it was demolished when tho timber was found to be sound throughout. . This led to a decision to re-erect the ancient landmark, but owing to various difficulties this work could not be put in hand until last week. All the labour is being provided voluntarily by the Natives of the district. The new church will be a httlo smaller than tlie old one, and when completed it is the intention of the Natives to decorate the interior with plaited mats and carving, which will be undertaken by Mr J. McGregor, a well-known exponent of tho art..