A Veteran Missionary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 2, 10 January 1907, Page 19

A Veteran Missionary

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) The presence in Uhristchurch of the cultured and courteous Rev,. Father Cognet, S.Mr, was availed of by your correspondent to glean, a little insight, for the benefit of 'Tablet' readers, into the daily- life and labors of one who, -tor the past .twenty-one years,- has had the spiritual cafe of Maoris and Europeans alike,- in localities now- bearing signs of progress advancement, but which in past -times were the scenes of deadly conflict between- the two races, the memories of which even to this day' are the cause of deep rancor in the heart of the Maori, and a distinct barrier in many instances to his acceptance of' the Christian religion. This feeling of antipathy, not to use the harder , word— hatred, is deep rooted, especially -in • these- particular^ parts, among the but which, although the causes-." arenot T laid at "the -\door of the Catholic (Jhurch, or markedly manifested against her 1 missionaries, is. still a real live "force, that has to be faced, a species of passive resistance to all creeds, which has to be. encountered, and,' where pos"siblie, overcome.. The Natives" do' not differentiate ; they feel convinced that the whites' are the cause of v all their woes, troubles, and comparative poverty, and so are inclined to discountenance- ,the ' religion _o£ the Europeans. - - • j x: . „ "

It was on January "15, 1886, that Father Oognet first, arrived in xvew Zealand, accompanied by Fathers Regnault - (now Dean of Wahnate), Marnane, of- St. Mary's; Manchester street, Onristchurch,. and Aubry, of 'Hokitika, and it is his intention, together with the others, excepting Father Marnane (who is absent in Europe) to celebrate the" 21st anniversary of the above event by fore-gathering at Waiinate for the- occasion. xVfteac spending eleven years on the" Maori- missions on ' - the_ Upper Wanganui River, in Hawke's "Bay, and at . Otaki', he has labored during the remaining ten years r on the Taranaki coast, his main being Okato, Pungarehu, and Opunake. He is within a few miles of - historic Paribaka, and has had many interviews, wfth the self-appointed 'prophet,' Te Whiti, also with Tohu, in some respects Te Whili's rival. "The intellectual capacity of the ' prophet ' is of a very high order, and the— missionary relates many- incidents concerning him. Regular visits arc made to, the Maoris- irn their own hapus. The Catholics among them number . several hundreds, and frequently as many . as" five to seven addresses in one day are delivered to them.. There are many kind and good souls amony; .them, but the '.tchungas ' do an amount of mischief. Father Cognet is an accomplished/ Maori linguist, and has written several books in tbe^language for their especial use, including a 'History of the Church,' for "the printing of which he • sonic years ago went to his native country, lie is engaged on other works' of a, literary nature, which, with has tund of most' interest-, ing knowledge of the Maori, his character,- halAts, and routine of daily life (a subject in which few can excel him) should prove valuable, and secure a - wide circle, of readers.