DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 16

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

On Tuesday two distinguished visitors Mrs E. M. Bourn and her daughter, Miss Marjorie Bourn, arrived by the s.s. Marama, en route for Wellington. Mrs Bourn is a granddaughter of the Rev. J. Watkin, the pioneer missionary who established the first Christian Mission in Otago and the South Island. The visitors were met by the Rev. C ' H. Olds, chairman of the Methodist Synod, Mrs Olds, and the Rev. T. A. Pybus. They were motored to Otakou to see the historic places Miss A. Karetai, sen., daughter of the chief Timoti Karetai, took the party to view the sight of the mission station at Ruatitiko, near Harrington Point. The first mission church and parsonage within the Otago Harbour stood on that reserve for several years till the

whole was submerged in the sand drifts. Miss Karetai remembers the building, and gave the visitors some interesting details. In this mission church the chief Matenga Taiaroa was baptised and received into the Christian faith, then married to Karoraina, the lady of his choice; both ceremonies were performed by the Rev. G. Stannard. The present church was then visited, and, after making the acquaintance of several families whose parents or grandparents were baptised or married by the Rev. J. Watkin, the visitors returned to the city. Mrs and Miss Bourn then called at the Early Settlers' Hall, and were received by Mr W. Paterson and Mr W. H. Ferens, who showed them the various objects of historic interest, including the bell which originally stood on the mission church at Karitane. After signing the visitors' book and joining the association, they proceeded to Port Chalmers to see the Memorial Church. They expressed their appreciation of the Watkin memorial window, and examined the various relics, curios, and documents with intense pleasure. Mrs Bourn is a daughter of the late Rev. Dr E. I. Watkin, of Melbourne. The doctor, as a boy, resided with his parents in Otago from 1840 to 1844. Educated in Australia, he entered the Methodist ministry and attained, distinction, becoming principal of Wesley College and president of the Victorian Church. He was a prominent member of the Royal Geographical Society, and published a book on "Australian Native Names and Their Meanings." He was editor of the "Spectator," and a contributor to the Argus under the initials "G. Y. D." A keen student of Australian history, his special knowledge in this respect was widely recognised. In 1901 he was the Australasian representative to the Methodist Conference in London. Dr E. H. Sugden, master of Queen's, described Dr Watkin as "The Orator" and the leading minister in Victorian Methodism. Mrs Bourn and her daughter are spending a short holiday in New Zealand. They were much impressed with the scenery and beauty spots of Dunedin and suburbs.