NEW MAORI CHURCHES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13045, 10 April 1913, Page 7

NEW MAORI CHURCHES.

• -"■< Dr. Averill (Bishop of Waiapu) has been making an extended-, tour of the East Coast and Archdeaconry of Tauranga. During tho tour tll%- -'Bishop opened four new Maori churches, and covered a stretch pf country necessitating rding, driving, .and motoring over hundreds of miles. His Lordship returns to Napier on Monday, yia Taupo and Tarawera. To A^vahou, across the lake from JRotorua, was the scene of great activity on Sunday, when the new Maori church Vvas opened by the Bishop of Waiapu. The congregation was far too large to be accommodated m the building, and it was therefore arranged that most of the service should be conducted m the open air. The Bishop was assisted by six of the Maori clergy, and about 10 of the licensed Maori lay-readers from the Bay of Plenty and JRotorua districts. After the morning service outside,, the Bishop conducted a confirmation service, when seven candidates were presented. A native chief named Enura JKaraka was formally inducted as a licensed layreader. J A sumptuous dinner was provided by .the natives. The first relay was provided for the pakeha, visitors, of whom about 80 or 90 sat m the special dining apartment provided, and enjoyed the ricJh things provided by the hospitable natives. After dinner the formal presentation of native offerings was begun. A representative of a tribe came forwaid and presented tribal offerings, which had been raised, m each settlement; the total amount being £120. The Bishop expressed his gratitude at seeing many indications of a revival of spiritual life amongst the native congregation throughout the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua districts. To, open four churches, and confirm such large numbers m one tour, was a matter of thankfulness to all who took an interest m the spiritual welfare of the native people.