OTAGO INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13696, Issue 13696, 12 September 1906, Page 2

OTAGO INSTITUTE.

LECTUUE BY DIl lIOCKEX. At the meeting of the Otago Institute held hist night Dr Ilocken stepped aside from the main thread of his lectures on tho life of the Rev. Samuel Mui'sileii lo (leal 'more specifically with, tho famous chaplain's connection with early New Zealand missions'. The'subject is one in which tho learned lecturer is especially at home, and the lecture, 'incisive and informative, wits, m these circumstances, especially authoritative, and apt. Or Hockcn's knowledge of our early history is at no point uncertain or dubious. '.For his statements ho gives chapter and. verse. Ho has so collected and . composed, collated and classified, that ho can detect questionable documents-and counterfeit remains, and so easily sift, loose tradition from solid fact. This is the choicest gift of the. pious antiquary—this and the genuine enthusiasm that must inspire him. Possession of those gifts makes Dr Ilocken not only si peculiarly interesting lecturer, but also • a peculiarly safe authority. Among interesting exhibits were a copy of-thc first map of New Zealand after Captain Cook's—a very curious and surprising map indeed.— and various documents connected with Mnrsdou's life.and, period. One document, ft testimonial given to Dr Marsdcn when he was going Home in 1808. was shown as being.probably one of tho oldest Australasian representatives of its class. Dr Hocjcen traced the causes which led lo the movement to establish missions to the heathen towards tho end of tho eighteenth century. He traced Australasian missions from the dato of the arrival of the Duff in 1796.. Tho hazards and vicissitudes of tho missionary career iri'theso early days were touched on. Brief references to Dr Marsden's largo-heartedne;s and breadth of view led to. an orderlv account of the oriprin of mission enterprtEO in New Zealand, following on the kidnapping of the two Maoris from Doubtless Bay by Lieu-tenant-Governor King. King spoke to Dr

Marsden in enthusiastic fcrnis of tho intelligence'of ( these Maoris, and afterwards showed groat kindness io Maoris visiting Sydney. For some years, up till 1807, Br Marsden bad occasional opportunities, of learning in Sydney somewhat of the Maori character 'and needs. In February. 1807. . having at heart tho mattor of missions to the Maoris,'he sailed for England with the object of eliciting the. inlerosf of the Church Missionary Society and similar Indies. Ho reached Home in nine months. For two years.in England he worked indefntigalily in Australian interests. Ho was givon a free hand in the selection of schoolmasters and clergymen, _ lie formulated a scheme for tho introduction of Christianity to Now Zealand, advising tho appointment of pious mechanics as the forerunners. Of these-first lay missionaries some inter-' esting dolails were given. The salary of these men was £20 per year while they remained in New South \Valos, and £60 when they took up active duty in Now Zealand.' Various delays occurred, and tbeso wore complicated by the antagonism that grew! up between Br Marsden and Governor Macquario, Tho massaoro of. 'Iho Boyd proved another hindrance. But Br Marsden persisted in .thn face .of all discouragement. But in 1(111 the mission was at lniiffth founded, and Dr llarsdcn's hi"b ambition put in' ii fair wav towards fulfilment. Br IWken iravo various nnocdotes of these early davs. The led urc was throinrhoitt cxccodintrlv interesting and informative. Tho proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer. Dr Marshall presided.