MAORI MISSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5598, 26 May 1905, Page 7

MAORI MISSION.

ANGLICAN BOARD MEETING.

Tho Maori Mission Hoard of tho Anglican Church concluded its sitting yesterday. There were present:—l no Primate (Bishop Novill), presiding, tho Bishops of Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch. and Dunedin, tho Dean of Dunedin, Archdeacons Harper (Christchurch) and Grace (Blenheim), tho Hovs. W. Boatty and T. B. Maclean, Messrs Blackburn© (Christchurch), Fioider (Napier), Robertson, and Iv. Wilson (Palmerston North), secretary. Apologies for absence were received from tho Dishop of Auckland, Archdeacon Williams, and Mr A. Hamilton (treasurer). ANNUAL REPORT.

Tho report of tho executive committee expressed thankfulness that the work of carrying on tho mission on its old lines had been successfully accomplished during the year, thanks to the generous response mado throughout tho province. Every dioceso had contributed tho full amount for which it was asked, while in some cases the amount had been considerably exceeded, either in tho direction of tho general fund or in meeting local needs. A brief account of tho mission in all its branches had been edited by tho Dislmp of Waiapu, and published for distribution in the form of a pamphlet. Ono very important question dealt with by tho executive committee was the extent to which it was desirable that contributions should bo earmarked for special purposes. The board gave permission to tho sub-treasurers in cadi tlioccso to retain as much as was required to moot tho authorised local expenditure. It had been a source of satisfaction to note that there had been during the past year a marked increase in the amounts contributed to tho mission by the Maoris themselves. It was evident that a considerable increase in- tile expenditure would be necessary if the work of the mission was to bo carried out efficiently, and that therefore persistent efforts should ho made to raise tho necessary funds. Tho committee therefore recommended tho appointment of a permanent secretary at a fixed allowance, and also that tlie members of the executive should bo resident at or within easy access of one of tho centres.

The report was adopted. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR

It was decided that the executive should have full administrative powers, and appoint the officers of the board, that the executive for the next year should be located at Wellington, and should consist of the Bishops of Wellington, Nelson, and Waiapu, the Rev. T. B. Maclean, and Mr Kenneth. Wilson, with power to fill vacancies. It was made an Instruction to the executive to appoint a secretary at a yearly remuneration of £SO and travelling expenses. The next meeting of the board is to he held in Wellington in May next. A resolution was passed thanking Bishop Williams for editing the history of the mission. ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR. Tho Bishops of Christchurch and Waiapu, and Messrs Fielder and Wilson, who had boon appointed a subcommittee to consider tho estimates for the current year, reported that about £3900 would be required for the work, in addition to the income from the endowments and permanent sources. They recommended that the total sum required should bd contributed by the different dioceses a* follows, the amounts being based on the percentage of church population in the different districts, and the number of Maoris—Auckland, 26 per cent.; Waiapu, 18 per cent.; Wellington, 22 per cent.; Nelson, 7 per cent.; Christchurch, 20 per cent.; Dunedin, 7 per cent. The amounts required and the contributions expected are as follows :—•

The schedule attached to the report showed that the Maoris and clergy in the different dioceses were as follows: Auckland, 20,000 Maoris, 2 pakeha and 17 Maori clergy; Waiapu, 14,550 Maoris, 4 pakeha and 18 Maori clergy; Wellington, 6100 Maoris, 2 pakeha and 8 Maori clergy, 1 school; Nelson, 570 Maoris, 2 schools, 1 evangelist; Christchurch, 875 Maoris, 4 pakeha clergy (partly engaged); Dunedin, 650 Maoris, 3 pakeha clergy (partly engaged). It was decided to undertake responsibility for the sura of £340 advanced by the New Zealand Mission Trust Board for the maintenance of the mission in the dioceses of Auckland and Waiapu during the first quarter of 1904. On the motion of Mr Hlaokburne, seconded by the Bishop of Nelson, it was decided that the services of one or more suitable persons shall bo available for deputation work in any diocese that may apply for their services.

Expenditure. Contributions. £ , £ Auckland ... 1,280 1,014 Waiapu ■... 1 ; 212 692 Wellington ... '735 852 Nelson ... 270 278 Christchurch 193 780 Dunedin ... 150 273