WESLEYAN MAORI MISSION.

Waka Maori, Volume 12, Issue 2, 25 January 1876, Page 13

WESLEYAN MAORI MISSION.

At a meeting in the Wesleyan church, Manners Street, on the evening of the 18th instant, the Rev. Mr. Reid, President of the Conference, spoke to the following effect respecting the state of the Maori Mission in New Zealand. He said of course it could not be compared with the vast work going on in the Fijis (we quote from the New Zealand Times), yet it was a most interesting mission to New Zealand people. Ministers had been blamed for failing to tell the people how it was getting on—people had even told him that they knew absolutely nothing about the Maori work doing in the North Island—therefore he had looked up some facts and figures that would show the position in which the mission actually stood. First he would remark—some might know it, and some might be in ignorance of it—three European missionaries were employed in the colony. One of these had a district containing a population of about 2,000, another had a district containing an equal number, and the third man's district had a population of about 700. The first district was named Hokianga ; the second embraced Raglan and other places on the West- Coast of the North Island ; and the third was Kaipara. In addition to these there were five Native ministers—five converted Maoris who were employed in preaching Jesus Christ to their countrymen. Of these, in this island, Hoani "Waiti was stationed at Kaipara, Wiremu Patene at Karakariki, Hamiora Ngaropi at Whatawhata, and Hetaraka at the Hutt, Wellington; and at Rapaki (Port Cooper), in the Middle Island, there was Te Kooti—and all were doing good work. For the maintenance of these, as well as of several Native teachers, paid at the rate of £5 to £lO per annum, the Wesleyans of New Zealand were responsible. There were now about 3,000 Maori worshippers—--392 members. It musk be admitted that the mission presented a very gloomy aspect, but still it presented a much brighter appearance than it did ten years ago, and prospects were improving. (Applause.) The cost of the mission for the year had been £646 25.; but, of this, £SSS had been derived from the income from mission properties, leaving a very small balance to be raised by collection on Maori Mission account. He wished to draw attention to the desirableness of this work being better supported. That evening they had had eloquent addresses, and excellent principles had been laid down, but to him had fallen the work of supplying the application, and he should do so by recommending the Maori Mission to their notice. In other colonies the Maori .Mission was talked of as a serious responsibility on the New Zealand Wesleyans, and therefore they could not be expected to do much for Fiji and the South Seas, but when they came to examine figures it would be found that the very small sum of £62 was all that was directly contributed for the Maori Mission. It was proposed to devote part of the funds derived from Mission properties to the maintenance of an educational institution for the Maoris, to be organized immediately, at which Native preachers and Native teachers would be taught and trained. To achieve this it was necessary that a sum of £420 per annum should be raised, independent of the revenue from Mission properties. He concluded his address by an earnest appeal to the benevolent and large-hearted men of New Zealand to come forward and assist in the work.