First Impressions of an East Coast District

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 November 1910, Page 4

First Impressions of an East Coast District

The Vicar (Mr S. Wilson and their party), arrived at Waipiro Bay on July 6th. They were much indebted to Captain Skinner for unfailing kindness during the voyage, and not least for landing their effects with such promptness, that all their belongings, books, furniture, etc., were under cover at the Vicarage on the day of their arrival. Surely this establishes a record for promptness m landing on this coast ? The landing was effected m the most perfect East Coast weather. They had not long to wait, only a very few days, for quite.

another sample of East Coast weather, and for ten days or so, they felt much as Noah and his family must have felt when they were shut m the ark, and ■" the windows of heaven were opened," never m New Zealand had we seen such rain. Ten inches m twenty-four hours, and six inches m twelve hours, which were some -of the Waipiro records, give but a faint idea of the rainfall, for it continued steadily teaming for nine or ten clays. Roads,, before knee deep m mud, now became, m many cases, impassable. Roads, bridges, culverts, disappeared for chains. Short cuts, through fences that had slipped away became the order of the day. On meeting a traveller the invariable question was " what is the road like to such and such a pbice," then followed a detailed description of how to avoid some death trap m the shape of a slip or a wash-out. One consolation — we have seen it at its worst — its very worst. However, the end of ones' journey was with it all. One had heard much of the hospitality of East Coasters, but nothing could prepare one for the wai'mth of the welcome that awaited one everywhere. From station owers and managers, who dispense their hospitality as only English gentlemen know how, from brave ladies who, cut off from their fellows by miles and miles of mud, and impassable tracks, and who, m many a native school, stick to their task of training the Maoris m many more things than the three " R's." In the writer's opinion no braver missionary work is being done m any mission than m the native schools on this coast, from shepherds and bush hands who, m all kinds of out-of-the-way places, m all kinds of unostentatious ways, put themselves to no small inconvenience to "help the parson," or "to show the parson the track" — everywhere, and from everyone, the kindness one has received is far beyond thanks, beyond one's powers to express. And then the services, they lack many things which are desirable adjuncts to Divine Worship, but they do not lack the one essential, the spirit of worship, and they do not lack numbers. At most of the stations and townships all hands attended the services, whether it be on a Sunday or a week night. At one township, at a week-night service, we had three or four more persons than the total adult population of the township. The three or four extras were visitors passing through the township. It would Surprise some town worshippers to see

ladies m some bush townships wading to church, through wind, and rain, m gum boots, almost up to their knees m liquid mud. Happily now all this is a thing of the past, we hope for many months. As one canters over spots, a few weeks since girth deep m mud, the hardships of the winter are forgotten m the perfection of the spring.

Such then are some of one's impressions of the East Coast. The predominant feeling being one of thankfulness that one's lot is cast amongst a community where the services of our most Holy Church, oftentimes administered amidst difficulties almost insurmountable, are most eagerly welcomed, and of which aliu'oat the whole community heartily avails themselves.