MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 June 1936, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.’’) HEREWINI. In October, 1841, New Zealand Avas created a separate Diocese. of the Church of England, Avith Dr.. G. A. SelAvyn as its first Bishop. At a magnificent fareAvell banquet in England attended by the leaders 6f society in the Church and State, Sidney Smith, I think it Avas, solemnly Avarned the departing guest that every male member of his neAV congregation Avas, a lawyer by profession, and Avould therefore be very diffident in accepting the profession of religion he had to offer them. In proof of this he cited the fact that without exception each man had 11 six and eightpence’’ tattooed on either cheek. He also suggested that the Doctor should keep a choice fresh joint of young Curate on his dining room sideboard; but if his converts should happen to prefer a real live Bishop, he hoped his Lordship Avould disagree AA-ith them. It. is said that never before or since has such hilarity been displayed at any devout assembly in the United Kingdom. HereAvini te Oha (Sehvyn the generous) as the Maori soon named him, left his mark on every one of both races with AVhom he came into intimate association. The appreciation and the expression of true pleasantries, in contrast to the assumed solemnities of our religious observance, merits far greater attention from our leaders .of thought.

In 1877 three great men, Avliose-influ-ence upon the relationship, character, and liA’es of both races has its cumulative influence for good on each generation, passed aAvay to Te Reinga, the Maori spirit Avorld, On Bth January Te Makarini (Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G.) ‘ died at Napier. He AA r as Native Minister,in the ..Cabinet and the first Grand Master of the Southern Division of Freemasons in Noav Zealand.

On 9th February Te Wiremu (Bishop Williams of Waiapu) died in New Zealand. He did; notable work in helping us to understand' the Maori language, interest in the beauty and simplicity of which isi happily being revived to-day. On 11th April Ilerewini (Bishop Selwyn) then Lord) Bishop of Litchfield, died in England. In his early manhood, propriety befitting the custom of his high calling, was at least observed. In mixing with all grades for their advantage, he was: one of the few to realise and adopt a better way to their hearts I —the cheerful road (Manahau).