MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8861, 10 May 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

MOTUEKA.

OPENING OF THE NEW NAVIVE CHUROH. On Thursday morning a larg-3 number of exoureionists left Ne'eon for Wot a eka in the ■ steamer Lady Barkly. to witness the proceedings in connection with tbe opening of the new Churoh whiob has been ereoted for tbe Maoris in that district. lac waather was beautiful, and nil enjoyed the run to Motueka. On arriving at tbe latter place, the exoursionisti quiok'y made their way to the Maori settlement, where tbe natives were assembled aad on the arrival of his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson, the clergy, and visitors they reoeived a weloone in the graceful and pleasing style of the Maoris.

Snon after tbe Bishop of Nelson, Archdea con Graoe, AroL deaoon Wright, Revs J P KempthoiuF, F W Chattciton, £ak~r, Johnson, and Bennett formed a procession, and at thy entranoe of the new church they were m-t by aMe or*, when Mr Martinrtin (of the Whibapuaha Pab) read [a petition in Maori, praying tbat the building should be licensed for Divine se. ..ce. Atchdeaom Graoe aoted as interpreter, and conveyed to the Maoris his Lordship's reply that th 9 lioense would be granted, and tbe petition be placed in the records of the Diooeee,

There was euoh a large ascemblage present, besides Motaeka, the surrounding districts being well represented, that it was decided to hold the Eei vice in the open air. Arch, deaoon Grace and the Maori minister (Rev F Bennett) read the prayers and lessons in Maori. The Bishop delivered an exoellent di- course on worshipping God, the Bey F Bennett interpreting the same for the Maori*. Arohdeaoon Grace also delivered a discourse in Maori. The Bey F Bennett onduoted tbe Binging. and tbe Rev F W Chattel ton p.-cßided at the organ. The responses in the service were heartily given by the Maoris, and they a'l foined in the singing.

Tbe effectory taken up smor-jttd to £7 19s 6d.

| After the service until lot cheon was ready I the visitors inspeoted the new church,. Tbe i building is oruciform in plan, and is placed east and west, the porch teing to the nortb, aad tbe vestry with the organ chamber on the bc nth side. Ibe construction is of timber, on Conor, te dwarf walla, an fit is roofed with iron laid to a moderate pi oh. It is EurmouD'ed with an opan bell tarret relieved with oat work, and furnished with a wrought iron scroll finial gilt. A substantial and pleasing exterior effeot has baen obtained by exposing some of the heavy timber framing, and filling the panels formed thereby with wide vertioel boarding and batten joints. The roof is finished with gables on each point of the croBS as we ' as to tbe aide lights, tbe barges, being cut, pierced, and moulded the projections being oar. Ed on framed brackets, j A plain gilt cross Eerviog as a fioial to the west end.

The interior of the building measures as follows :— tbe nave 27 feet by 18 feet, and tbe chancel 12 feet by 8 feet. All tbe walls are nine fe9t high to che spring of the roof, which over the nave is open to the ridge, and in (be ohanoel lined to form panel work, a little lower tban the beams. All the principals and otber timbering is wrought, oharapjred, and moulded. Pleasing relief is obtherwise by cut ocrbels and braabets to the bases of the principals, moulded airings and some turned pateroe. The lining is all V jointed, tongued and grooved fixed variously, diagoral, vertical and horizontal. The rlaoe for the choir forms an enclosure attaohed to tbe reading ''eak, whioh is blbo effectively treated by ohsmpered and sunk work, 'ihe west and chancel windows are double triplet lights, with trefoil heads. I There are also two side lights of doub' j sasbes, with foliated openings, above th tranßoroe?. All the windows ara fitted w. '.

figured plate rlbbs. Ventilation isprovide> for by fonr of tbe Bashes being pivot hung, open work in tbe eaves, and by a pierced roof ventilator, with out et **n the base of the bell turret. When funds will permit, it is intended to oil Btain tbe interior. The b i d'ng

lis pretty-looking structure, and refleots kt?; uper MT. Robeits, C.E., ihe architect, ' and it has neen we'l and faithfoliy built by Mr Afldrv M^ler. It was mnoh af _i*-ed by the visitors Immediately after the cp*n air servioe, the Holy Communion was ioi^ered to the Maoris in the Cburch, The luncheon provided by the ladies of Motaeka was a oapital one, and the wants of the host of visitors were oarefu'ly attended to by the strong contingent of yoong lady waiter?. In the afternoon a meeting wai held, when some, capital speeches were delivered by Messrs Martin, Park, Bennett, Graoe, and the Bishop. Messrs Martin and Park, on behalf of the Maori-*, thanked tbe Europeans very heartily fjr their co-operation iv assisting to provide the means for the erection of heir pretty ohuioh, to the Bishop, olergy, .id visitors, for attending on that occasion, - tbe ladies of Motueka for providing, f fie of cost, the abundance of provisions and delioaoies for tbe lunoheon and tea ; t • Mr Roberts for his gratuitous servioes as arohiteot. Tbe Rev. F. Bennett returned bis personal thanks for the kind assistance he had reoeived. He said all ho wanted now wrs to have the £25 debt remaining on the new Church cleared away. Mr Martin expressed a hope the Europeans Would oontinue to help and encourage the Maoris in their good work begun, for said he, they were very much like children and teqnited much enaoar a cement. At chdeaoon Graoe was^pleased to see the change that had taken plaoe. He referred to a visit which he paid to Motaeka in 1869, when the Maoris took very little interest in spiritual matters. The Bisnop referred to Martin and Julia risking tbeir lives to save tbe crew of the wrecked brig Delaware. He pointed out to the Maoris that it was the love of God which united them all in working for the benefit of tbeir fellow creatures. The Maori ovens and the manner in which the Natives cooked their food were closely watched by the visitors, who took great interest in the operations. The Maori children, and especiaUy the babies, came in for a great deal of attention. The Motueka Brass Band discoursed sweet music at intervals, and added greatly to the afternoon's pleasure. After an excellent tea had been provided the visitors wended their way to the township, and at half-past seven a large audience filled the Institute Hall, when by means of Mr R. I. Kingsley's powerful lantern the service of song entitled "Christy's Old Organ " was effectively given, the proceeds going towards the Maori Church building fund. We learn that the collections of the day and the service of song produced about £30 for that fund. After about a couple^ of hours run the visitors reached Nelson about 12.15 a.m. They were much pleased with the kindness shown to them by the Maoris, the Motueka* people, and Captain Stevens and his crew. The outing was voted as being one of the pleasantest in all respects that had been enjoyed by the excursionists.