MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 21670, 5 April 1932, Page 10

MATAURA NEWS

(From Our Correspondent.) Mr S. Bringans, who was recently appointed assistant master at the local school, arrived on Saturday and assumed his new duties yesterday morning. At the morning service at the Mataura Presbyterian Church on Sunday Sister Annie, of the Ruatahuna Maori Mission Station, occupied the pulpit and gave a stirring address on the work amongst the Maoris as carried on throughout the whole of the North Island. In introducing the visitor, the pastor of the church, the Rev. David McNeur, stressed the necessity and importance of the work. Apart from her duties as a missionary, said the speaker, Sister Annie’s capabilities had been recognized by the State in that she was one of the first women Justices of the Peace appointed She had been in Ruatahuna now for something like 16 years, during which time she had done a magnificent sacrificial work. An eloquent speaker, Sister Annie opened her remarks by saying she found the Maoris a lovable, hospitable and forgiving race —a race worthy of our best services. The Euro, pean had taken his land years ago and she ventured to suggest that if any present were ever privileged to read the clauses of the Treaty of Waitangi they would lie ashamed that the covenants had been so cruelly broken by the pakeha. The latter had allowed an influence to sweep in upon them that had made the Maori think that if that were Christian influence then it was of no use to him. False doctrine had permeated the race before the church had realized that the Maori had a soqj to save. The divisions amongst the several Christian communions had been largely instrumental in making him hold back in ‘years past from the Christian teachings. Coming to the question of Maori colleges under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church, Sister Annie said that though criticism had been levelled at the wisdom of establishing them, the results had certainly justified their existence. The girls had returned from those institutions a credit to the Maori race and were now doing excellent work in their respective pas. Mormonism was regarded as the greatest menace to the missionary work amongst this race. They had not saved men or money to give the Maori something of the spectacular, but she was happy to say that Christian teaching was gradually wearing down the opposition and whereas previously there was no station, now a flour ishing one existed. It was with great joy that she entered into her work, she concluded, because on all sides she was able to observe the transforming power of Christ working. Suitable missionary scripture readings and prayers were given and hymns sung, while during the offertory the choir sang the hymn “Go ye into all the World.”