OPENING OF A MAORI CHURCH AT WAKAPUAKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 231, 27 October 1876, Page 2

OPENING OF A MAORI CHURCH AT WAKAPUAKA.

[Communicated.] One of the special attractions of Nelson is the picturesque character of the scenery in its neighborhood, aud amongst many other beautiful places the locality known as Wakapuaka, Happy Valley, and Cable Bay bears the palm. An additional feature has been added to the scene iu the erection of a Maori Church on land belonging to the Natives' which was opened yesterday by a special service conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese, assisted by a large number of members of the Syuod, who went out specially for the purpose. The building was erected formerly iu Happy "Valley, but not finished, and since the Natives removed to the present Pa has been unoccupied. It has now been .re-erected, improved, and finished. The service was partly in Maori aad partly- iu English. The Rev Mr Grace, who has been visiting and officiating regularly to the Natives for some years, commenced the service ; the Rev Mr Roualdson preached an eloquent and fervent discourse in Maori on I Kings, 18— "Thou hast turned the heart of the people back again." The respouses of the Natives duriug the reading of the commandments iu Maori by the Bishop were markedly distinct, and the hearty way in which they sang a Maori Uynm to the tune of St. George's much impressed the visitors. Great credit is due to all parties concerned in the educational and religious progress of the Natives at Wakapuaka. °The cost of rc-erecting the building has been defrayed by assistauce from the Maori Trust Fund, and the balance has' been partly met by subscription amougsfc the Maoris themselves, amounting to A'4o. A collection was made yesterday amounting to ,£2O. At a bountiful refreshment table provided with true hospitality by Air and Mrs Martin, the visitors were received after the opening service, and very hearty cheers were given by them for their hosts, for Mr Jennings, and for the Rev Mr Grace. (For continuation of JSewt see fourth page )