MAORI COLLEGE CLOSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 12, 15 January 1932, Page 3

MAORI COLLEGE CLOSED

MORMONS’ INSTITUTION. NOT REPAIRED AFTER ’QUAKE. The auctioning of the Maori Agricultural College near Hastings last week brought to a elose 18 years of notable service in the education of young men of the Maori race. The college was established in 1912 by the Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church). Last Friday au auction sale was held of: the plant and implements formerly used on the 260 acres of farm, and the furnishings of the college building, rhe college was the only Mormon college in this country, and will not be replaced. The Mormon Mission in New Zealand, which has about 50 missionaries, mostly Maoris, will still be maintained, and will continue the 53 years of proselytising that it has already completed. The college buildings were extensively damaged by the earthquake, and have not since been repaired. The fact, combined with the falling off in the attendance of the school, which in recent years has decreased from about 130 students to 32, Las persuaded the headquarters of the church to cease its educative activities in New Zealand. The main wing of the building will bo demolished, but the chapel has been given to the Maoris of Bridge Pa, where the college is situated, for the purposes of a Mormon church. A hall formerly used as one of the school buildings has been given to the Maoris of To Hauke, near Bridge Pa, and the farm has been leased to a sheep-breeder in the neighbourhood. The college educated about 3000 Maoris during its existence, but with tho rising interest in the Maori, and the increased provision for his education, the young men who would otherwise have gone to tho Maori Agricultural College went to other schools, and the purposes for which the college was established were ultimately provided for in the Maori schools and col lege establishments elsewhere “Contrary to what I know is the general belief among the public.” said the acting-principal, Mr. A. G. Andrus, “our aim was not to impose our religion upon the boys who came to the college. We felt, that there was a n al. to educate the Maori, and wo wished to help in whatever way possible. The ollege was open to the Maori and to 'll boys of the Pacific Islands, no matter what their religion might be. The only religion that was specified in the college curriculum was the teaching of ‘the original message of Jesus Christ.’ ” Among several distinguished footballers produced by the college are George Nepia and Lui Paewai (All Blacks), and Falwasser. Sam Gemmell. Wi Necra, and Willie Shortland (Maori All Blacks). The college has twice won Hawke’s Pay championships at local •hows with bulls bred on its own farm