NEW MAORI CHURCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19002, 30 April 1936, Page 4

NEW MAORI CHURCH

DEDICATION OP WINDOW POTTO -0- R A WIRT SERVICE ADDRESS BY BISHOP The stained glass window just installed in the new church at Poho-o-Rawiri, Tokotora Tapu (Church of the Holy Trinity) was dedicated to-day by the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Et. Rev. F. A. Bennett.

The service was held shortly before midday, and was attended by a large gathering from the Maori parish of YVhangma, which extends from Tolaga Bay to Gisborne, while there were also visitors from Nuhaka and Wairoa.

His Lordship was assisted in the service by the Rev. W. Hauwahou, Tolaga Bay, vicar of the parish, and there were also present the Rev. W. P. Maiaira, Nuhaka, and the Rev. K. T. Hadfield, Mnnutnke.

The window was not completed in time for the dedication of the church not long ago, and arrived recently, being installed immediately.

It. is a. beautiful piece of work, made in New Zealand, and, placed oyer the altar, depicts Jesus Christ holding ITis hands before him in invitation, and the text quoted below is from verse 28 of the eleventh chapter of St. Matthew, “Come unto me an ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The service was entirely in Maori, for it was an all-Maori congregation, except for a. few pakehas intimately concerned. The service opened with tho singing of the hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy,” which was led by the Poho-o-Hawiri choir trained by Mr. Carrington Wollby.. To mark the occasion, the offices of the Native Department and Maori Land Board in Gisborne were closed, and the judge, Mr. IT. Carr, the registrar, Mr. R. J. Thompson, and members of the staff attended the service. There was such a large muster in church by the time all had arrived 1 that, there was barely sufficient seating accommodation.

After the service, visitors were entertained in the Poho-o-Rawivi dining hall to dinner, for which lavish preparations had been made.