TE AWAMUTU PARISH

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3477, 9 June 1934, Page 7

TE AWAMUTU PARISH

PREPARATIONS FOR CENTENARY. The work of preparing a fitting celebration of the founding of the Church in Te Awamutu district ha~ gone quietly on for some time under the direction of ;a small executive committee. A history of the paristi is being compiled, and has recently received an important addition in the form of copies of a number of original documents which have been sent from the Church Missionary Society in England to the Turnbull Library, Wellington. These include Mr John Morgan's diary, his account of the early tribal wars in the Waikato in the 1830\s, and his letters to the Society extending over the whole perioc; of his residence in Te Awamutu. These documents disclose thai the original mission station at Mangapouri was closed in September, 1830, and that the actual centenary date is 23rd, not 25th, August next. It is hoped very shortly to complete the history with these additions, and to print a number of copies for sale. The general meeting of parishioners held in April last authorised the executive committee to add to its numbers, and the executive has availed itself of this authority to co-opt members from all over the parish to form a strong general committee to make the rather extensive arrangements which have now become necessary.

The Maori clergy, including Bishop Bennett, are keenly interested in this notable anniversary of the first permanent Church settlement among the Waikato tribes, and it is hoped that there will be a large gathering of Maoris at the celebration.