TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 457, 16 October 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(l-'ROM THE PUKSS AdKN'rV.) ♦- WELLINGTON. October 15. The Mayor, the principal members of the clergy, and a number of leading citizens held a preliminary meeting this afternoon to decide as to the proper course to take towards collecting subscriptions in aid of the Indian Famine Kelief Fund. Bishop Redwood sent a note apologising for not being able to attend, and enclosing a cheque for L 5. It was ultimately decided to call a public meeting on Thursday, and to invite his Excellency the Governor to preside. It is intended to have a good Committee, which will canvass the city in sections. The idea of making collections in aid in the churches did not find favour. AUCKLAND. October 15. A public meeting was held at noon today, in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund, which was largely attended. Nearly L3OO was subscribed in the room.

At the opening of the Diocesan Synod to-day, the Bishop spoke most hopefully of the Maori mission. He said in the northern division of the diocese the work of the Church was advancing generally, and the conduct of the people had been good ; intemperance was on the decline ; that communicants and attendants at public worship were increasing in number ; several churches in native villages have been erected, some costing from L2OO to L 250. The Maori clergy of the north report favourably of the Church's work in their several districts ; that there are now lay readers in places where formerly were none : that children were not left unbaptised ; that matrimony is goneral ; that there is a great demand for Bibles and Prayer Books ; and many tribes are desirous of Having Maori ministers resident among them. In the south of the diocese are tokens of revived faith, and of a desire on the part of some who left us during the war to return to the Hock of the Good Shepherd. In April he held a confirmation at the principal settlements of the Maoris on the West Coast, between Waikato and Raglan Heads, and since then a tried and excellent minister of Waikato, the Rev Heta Tarawhiti, had been invited to take up his abode beyond the boundary of the confiscated territory, on land set apart for his use by so-called rebels. Four Maori j deacons are being prepared for priest's orders, and the Bishop hopes that through them others of their countrymen will be brought to desire the work of pastors and evangelists, and that thus a succession of Maori clergymen will be continued so long as the two races remain apart. * WANGANUI. October 10. Tli Indian Famine Committee have resolved to send L2OO direct to Madras at once. It is expected that the total amount realised will be over L3OO.