WAIKOUAITI NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21409, 10 August 1931, Page 10

WAIKOUAITI NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WAIKOUAITI, August 8,

A very successful welcome social was tendered to, the new vicar, the Rev. C. W, Foreman, and his wife and daughter on Thursday evening by the Maori parishioners of Puketeraki. There was a large attendance, which included a number of visitors from Waikouaiti.

Mr J. Ellison, in opening the proceedings, expressed to Mr Foreman the pleasure of the Maori Anglican congregation at having their vicar among them that evening, and stated that since the time of the first vicar, Mr Watkins, who was brought out to Waikouaiti by Mr John Jones, at the request of the Maoris, there had always been a fairly large number of Maori adherents to the Anglican Church at Puketeraki.

Air Foreman assured the people of Puketeraki of his warm interest in their moral and physical welfare, and service in their church would be held twice monthly. '

Air Matthews supported the chairman's welcome to the vicar and his family, and traversed the early history of Christianity among the 'Maoris of Puketeraki, then much more numerous than they were now.

During intervals between dances songs were sung by the vicar. Airs AI. Taiaroa. and Air Harper, and action/ songs and hnkas by Alaori members of the audience, with Airs Taiaroa at the piano. Elocutionary .items were given by AHss Foreman.

During the evening Mr Ellison expressed the thanks of the local people to the large party of Waikpuaiti residents who had come along to support them in their welcome to the vicar.