BISHOP REDWOOD AMONGST THE MAORIS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 12

BISHOP REDWOOD AMONGST THE MAORIS.

Otaki was en fete on Saturday and Sunday, on the occasion of the visit of Bishop Redwood and a number of Roman Catholic priests in connection with the re-opening of the Maori Church there, which has been undergoing a thorough renovation. The Bishop, in company with Fathers Sauzean, Melu, Lampelo, Patterson, Loulas, Colusy, and Le Preter, arrived on Saturday evening, and the event was celebrated by a great display of decorations, &e. Bannerets, artificial trees, wreaths, and other artistic emblems were displayed in great force on the way from the station to the church, and the Maoris assembled in great force to meet the Bishop, who has not been amongst them for some time past. The church has been wonderfully improved of late, and is now the finest building of the kind in the Manawatu district. On the arrival of the party an address was presented by the Natives to the Bishop, who replied in a very eloquent addresß, in which he thanked hi 3 dusky hearers for their cordial reception, and expressed a hope that bless ng would attend the re-opening of the church. Later on a splendid feast was prepared for the guests, comprising the choicest viands of European and Maori menu, cooked in faultless style, and those who took part state that they have seldom partaken of a more enjoyable repast at any table. On Sunday the Bishop spent the whole day axn-'.ugst his flock, anil the day was made the occasion of a series of services to which the Maoris are by no means accustomed. In the morning a confirmation service was held, when 61 aspirants received the sacrament, and of these 45 were Natives. The Bishop delivered a powerful address, which was attentively listened to by the large congregation of Natives, who ap. peared to follow the arguments used very carefully. In the afternoon there was another service, at which Father Lampelo preached; and in the evening mass was celebrated by Father Patterson, when the Maoris were again present in large numbers. Bishop Redwood spent the whole day in the vicinity, and several speeches were made by leading.chiefs, in which they thanked him for his presence, and referred to the good work done by the Church in the past. Bishop Redwood, attended by Fathers Sauzeau, Melu, and Patterson, returned to Wellington by the Company’s line yesterday, and they speak in high terms of the manner in which they were received by the Maoris.