RE-OPENING OF CHURCH AT kARIKARI.

New Zealand Tablet, 14 April 1921, Page 32

RE-OPENING OF CHURCH AT kARIKARI.

During the latter half of 1919 the Catholic Church at Karikari was removed to its present locality, Tahuwhakatiki, at an expenditure of over £2OO. The work was creditably performed by Mr. H. J. Vickery assisted by Matatia, Paoro te Kirikau, Taite, Wepiha, Charles Blake, J. Condon and others, whilst the painting, both inside and' outside the church, was tastefully done by Mr. J. Mackay. Because of the many Maori gatherings, both here and in other places, the re-opening of the church had to be postponed until Easter Sunday of the present year, when the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart, assisted by Fathers Holierhoek and Westeinde, solemnly blessed the church in the presence of a great gathering of Maoris and Europeans. The day was an ideal one. Great, too, were the preparations made by the local Maoris, who, in a most lavish and hospitable manner, entertained several hundreds of guests. In the matter of generosity the non-Catholic Maoris outdid by far the Catholic Maoris. The total sum collected for the rebuilding of the church and for the entertaining of visitors amounted to no less than £2BO from all sources. Special thanks are due to the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart, of Rotorua, who delivered in Maori a most - eloquent sermon appropriate for the occasion; to John Marara, Paoro te Kirikau angl’ Miss L und on for the training of the children, whose beautiful singing, in Maori and Latin, was a revelation to all who heard them. A final word of. thanks is also due to Henare., Werohia, the secretary, also to Mr. J. Bidois, and the energetic committee who <by hard and persevering work 1 have r made ' the - latest Maori gathering one of the most pleasing and successful ones held for many a 1 day. , ' > ' ' in ! o-U