THE WEST GOABT MAORI MISSION

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9391, 18 March 1898, Page 3

THE WEST GOABT MAORI MISSION

At the Wealeyan Conference at Dunedin last week the Rev. C. H. Laws, of Hawera, brought up the report of the special commission on the West Coast Maori work, which stated that the commission found that Mr Hammond considered the district under his charge to extend from tho White Cliffs in the North to Raugitikei in the south. The Native population, exclusive of the Wangauui Rivor Natives, numbered about 3000, principally descendants of Wos.leyan Natives, The evidence proved beyond all doubt that the moial condition of the Natives in the neighborhood of Huwcia had greatly improved, and that that improvement was duo to Mr Hammond's influence. The gross drunkenness and obscenity of 10 veais ago had greatly diminished. The determined opposition to the church's missionaiy at his advent had given way to a willingness to hear the Gospel, and in some places to a hearty welcomer-'Two churche3 had beon built by the Natives, and a number of conversions had been i ecorded, Financially the mission had been disappointing. About £30 was all that had been contributed during the 10 veaia. In explanation of this the evidence showed the Natives weie not rich. They received £21,000 per annum from the Public Trustee— the rental of their land3,— but owing to legal expenses, necessary improvements, the expensive custom of tl'eir tangi and other feasts, the addiction of many to the evils of gambling and drinking, this income is usually mortgaged. This, however, was by no means a comploto explanation, for the natives could find money to gratify their desires, and spent considerable sums in horse-racing nntl rfamblin. The report further refened to the ftatiVo hatred of the white man as being one of the causes which retarded the success of tho mission, and also to the faot that other religious agencies were at work in the same Hold —The report was adopted.