The Bisbop's journeys.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 July 1910, Page 10

The Bisbop's journeys.

L.1.1

Friday, March 4. — Commenced my first overland journey from Napier via Wairoa and Gisborne to Te Ai'aroa. Started at 6.30 a.m. by coach, arrived at Waikare for lunch and journeyed on, the only occupant of the coach, through bush scenery and undeveloped fern country to Mohaka, where I was met by Archdeacon Williams, who was to act as my guide, interpi*eter, and companion. ■ Hospitably entertained by the Eev. Hemi Huata. Evensong with the Maoris followed by a Maori " welcome." Saturday, March 5. — Mattinsin the Maori Church, with address. Left Mohaka at 9 a.m. Lunched at Mrs. (Uendinning's. Arrived Wairoa at 4. Kindly welcomed by the Eevs. H. T. Eawnsleyand Henare Wepiha. Stayed at the Vicarage. A largely attended Maori and Pakeha " welcome" m the hall at Wairoa m the evening at which addresses were presented by Maoris and Pakehas. Sunday, March 6. — Drove out to Maori Church for Matins and Holy Communion at 11. Crowded congregation. Baptized three infants m the service. Lunch with the Maoris and "korero" afterwards. Adult Baptism and Confirmation m the afternoon. Eleven candidates. Returned to Vicarage and preached at Evensong m Wairoa Church at 7. Large congregation, chiefly Pakehas, but many Maoris. Bright, Hearty service. Monday, March 7. — Left Wairoa at 9. Visited native school at Tuhara and met several natives from the district. Gave short address to the children, and heard them sing. The country has cause to be proud and thankful for the excellent work which is being done m most of these native schools. Lunched with Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan at Tahaenui. Arrived Nuhaka at 5 p.m. Met by the Eev. Wi Peraire. Visited several of the residents. Prayers with the Maoris. Attended Maori and Pakeha "welcome " m schoolroom and gave an address. Tuesday, March 8. — Holy Communion with the Maoris. Left Nuhaka 9.45. Morning tea ("tell it not m Gath") at Mrs. Bellamy's at Morere Springs, at the comforiable boarding-house which suffered so much m the subsequent flood. Visited the " Springs." Beautiful bush. Opportunity for a little physical exercise presented itself on the journey. Maori boy with waggon and five

horses conveying timber to new house "bogged" on the road. Had to unload timber to extricate waggon. Archdeacon and I loaded up the timber again. (N.B. — This is the only true and authentic account of a much garbled story.) Further on we heard that the unfortunate boy had got into trouble again, and who could wonder ? Arrived at Mr Swarbrick's and reported the plight of the Maori. Had lunch m the Shelter, which wus doing duty for Mr. Swarbrick's dining room during the rebuilding of his house. I understand that the timber eventually arrived at its destination by degrees. This, of course, is not intended to be any reflection upon the state of the roads. Arrived at Wharata and stayed the night at the boardinghouse. Wednesday, March 9. Left Wharata 7. Arrived Gisborue 1 1 . Stayed with Archdeacon Willianis at Te Eau. Met the Eevs. Dawson, Chatterton, Thomas, and Ward. Thursday, March 10.— Visited Te Eau College and Parish Church. Motor ride into the country m. the afternoou. Attended civic welcome m the evening m the Garrison Hall. Nearly 1000 people present. Speeches and addresses of welcome to which I replied.- Introduced to many of the people afterwards. A well organised, enthusiastic, and sympathetic gathering. Friday, March 11. — Motored out to Te Karaka, the parochial district of which the Eev. W. H. Roberts is m charge. Continued journey by motor and ballast train as far as the latter could take us on the " Gisborne and ? " line. Proceeded to the residence of Mr. Armstrong, the engineer, who kindly entertained us at lunch. Service m the Church at Te Karaka m the evening. Full Church, hearty service. Eeturned to Gisborne by motor afterwards. Saturday, March 12. — Visited native boys' school at Waerenga-a-hika. Had lunch with the Eev. W. M. Butterfield. Spoke to the boys. Large garden party m the afternoon. This school is evidently worked on good lines and could well train more. scholars. Sunday, March 13. — Celebrated the Holy Communion m Gisborne Parish Church at 8, assisted by Archdeacon Williams, the Eev. F. W. Ohatterton, and the Vicar. About 170 Communicants. Motored out to Patutahi, the Eev. A. H. Cole's Parish, and preached at Mattins. Good congregation. Lunched with Mr. Sherratt. Service m the afternoon with the Maoris at Te Kuri. Service held out-of-doors. Welcome from the Maoris.

Visited Miss Strouts' "kindergarten." Service m the evening m Garrison Hall at GKsborne by request. Splendid congregation, estimated at 1600. Monday, March 14. — Started at 9.30 for East Coast tour. Lunched at Turihaua, the residence of Mr. H. B. Williams. Stayed night at Waihau, kindly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Loisel. Tuesday, March 15. — Left Waihau at 8. Got into a quicksand on the beach. "Sprung the pole. Got horses out. Buggy pulled out by the coach, which fortunately soon came by. Patched up the pole and arrived at Tolaga Bay at 10.30 accompanied by the Rev. Timutimu Tawhai, who came out to meet us. After refreshments at Mr. Holder's, and repairs to tfre buggy at the blacksmith's, drove on to O'Shea's for lunch. Met Ecv. Nikora Tautau. Paid a short visit to Mr. Busby and arrived at Tokomaru, where we met the Eev. F. 0. Long and received a hearty greeting from a lai-ge number of natives. Hospitably entertained by the Maoris. Prayers with the Maoris m the evening, followed by speeches of welcome. Wednesday, March 16. — Aiter morning prayers, at which I gave an address, we journeyed on to the Hospital, and were kindly received by the Matron. An excellent well-managed institution. Met the Chairman of the Board, Mr. A. B. Williams. Arrived at Waipiro, lunched with Mr. Long, paid a short visit to Mr. and Mrs. Jteal, and -arrived at Malrarika, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood, where we spent the whole of the next day and had a rest. (To he continued.)