NOTABLE CENTENARY.

Otago Witness, Volume 1851, Issue 3809, 15 March 1927, Page 73

NOTABLE CENTENARY.

METHODIST MISSION WORK, MEMORIAL TO. BE UNVEILED,. AUCKLAND, March 9. The centenary of the re-establishment and permanent foundation of the Methodist Mission work in New Zealand will be com-, memorated at- Mangungu, on the Hokianga River, next'Wednesday, when a monument will be unveiled on the.spot occupied by, the first mission station in the district in 1827. Tlie history of Methodist mission work in the Dominion actually dates back to 1822, when the Rev. Samuel Leigh landed at Whangaroa and commenced) preaching among the Natives. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Hobbs, but early in 1827 the mission station was totally destroyed by-fire. However, after some months, Mr Hobbs established a new station at Hokianga, and steps have been taken by the church, which now extends throughout the whole country, to com-, memorato this important event, and to place on record the work of the pioneer missionaries.

The monument will take the form of a Celtic cross on a granite base, in which has been set the original bell used at the mission station 100 years ago to call the Maoris to worship. On the base will be inscribed in Maori and English the names of early missionaries and the Native church workers. ' The old mission station has now disappeared to be replaced by numerous surrounding chuches. A great Moari festival has been arranged for next week, and the Natives of the district will act as hosts lo a large number of the representatives at present attending the Methodist conference in Auckland, who will make a special pilgrimage to be present at the unveiling ceremony. A commemorative address will be -given by the Rev. A. C. Lawry, of Timaru, a grandson of one of the original missionaries, while the Rev. Robert Haddon, superintendent of-the Maori Mission work in New Zealand, will unveil the commemoration bell.