Waimate Vicarage For Maori Mission House

Northern Advocate, 3 March 1945, Page 2

Waimate Vicarage For Maori Mission House

(Special) KAIKOHE, This Day. The old historic vicarage attached to the no less historic church of St. John the Baptist at Waimate North is to attain a new importance in use as a mission house for work among the Maoris of the Waimate North parochial district. Sister North, of the Church Army, lately stationed in Auckland, has been appointed to head the staff at the mission house. Plans at present provide for one other pakeha missionary and two Maori women, all of whom will live at the premises. The vicarage was made available recently by the vestry for Maori mission work. Practically no alterations are deemed necessary in the building, which is a nine-romed house. It is hoped that the mission house will start operations at the beginning of May. In the initial stages at least, the missionaries will concentrate their activities among the native people in the portion of the parochial district which lies to the east of Kaikohe, including Ngawha, Te Ahuahu, Ohaeawai, Oromahoe, Puketona, Kerikeri, Waipapa and possibly Okaihau! Ultimately the remainder of the district will be covered, it is anticipated, but the project at this stage is purely experimental. Was Built as Mission House The vicar of Waimate North (Rev. J. G. Heath) will serve as chaplain to the mission house, whose staff will come under his direction'and control. Their work will, be conducted in liaison with that of the vicar. The only such mission house in Northland, this venture will have a unique association in that it will return the ancient vicarage to its original purpose. It was constructed for the famous “Missionary Clarke,”, a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi, for missionary work among the inland Maoris, and was so used by him for a considerable time before becoming the official vicarage. For many years the dwelling had a mud floor, which became possibly its individual feature best-known throughout New Zealand.

Warm interest in the project ■ has been displayed by the Bishop of Auckland (lit. Rev. W. J. Simkin) during his current visit to -the district.