NEW MAORI CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22362, 7 March 1936, Page 14

NEW MAORI CHURCH

DEDICATION CEREMONY GATHERING AT POHO-O-RAWIRI [by telegraph —own -correspondent] / GISBORNE, Friday A large gathering participated in the dedication of the new Maori Church at Poho-o-Rawiri to-day, when the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt. Rev. H\ W. Williams, and the Bishop of Aotea-Roa, the Rt. Rqv. F. A. Bennett, together with the clergy of the district, participated. The church, which is named Tokotoru Tapu, the Church of the Holy Trinity, Btands on a rise at the foot of Kaiti Hill,'and overlooks the meeting-houso of Poho-o-Rawiri. Its red-tiled roof and grey and terra-cotta walls make a contrast to the cream colour of the meet-ing-house belov The service was in Maori to a Maori audience, with the exception of some Europeans helping in the ceremony. The pinging was led by the Poho-o-Rawiri choir. The dedication was carried ou* by the Bishop of Waiapu, and the Bishop of Aotea-Roa delivered the address.

The service was preceded by a meet ing of the visiting tribes with those af Poho-o-Rawiri. As the visitors arrived from their quarters at Manutuke they were met by representatives of the people at Poho-o-Rawiri, and the local people performed hakas of welcome, assisted by those visitors who were quartered at Poho-o-Rawiri. Hakas were followed by laments for those who had died since their last meeting. In all, about 1000 visitors are present from Ru'atokj, Te Kaha, Torere, Hastings »nd the East Coast, from as far north as Hick's Bay.