Obituary.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 10, 1 April 1914, Page 131

Obituary.

On March 2nd, at Rangitukia, the Rev. Molii Turei passed to his rest at the ripe age oi about 85 years. Among his early memories was the first visit paid by the Rev. W. Williams to Waiapu m January, 1834. The immediate object of Mr Williams' visit was the restoration to their homes of several N'gatiporou chiets who had been carried ott by a whaling ship some months before to the Bay of Islands. Along with these chiefs came a number of others who had been taken captive by the Ngapuhi m former years. One of these was Taumatakura who began at once to teach his fellow tribesmen something of what he had learned from the Missionaries at the Bay of Islands. Turei was somewhat impressed by Taumatakura, but more so afterwards by the teachers who were brought to Waiapu by the Rev. H. Williams m 1838. Some years afterwards he was baptised by the Rev. W. Williams, when he took the name of Mohi ; and later on he was confirmed by Bishop Selwyn. After several years' training at Waerengaahika he was admitted to Deacon's Orders by Bishop W. Williams m 1864, and stationed at Rangitukia to work with the Rev. Raniera Kawhai of Tuparoa, who was already m Priest's Orders. In 1870 he was ordained priest, and placed m charge of the northern half of the W'aiapu District, Kawhai retaining the southern portion. In 1904 he was confined to his house by loss of power m his lower limbs, from which he never recovered. During a great portion of the last Jen years he was practically bed-ridden with frequent attacks of severe pain which he bore with exemplary patience and unfailing trust m the goodness of God. . He was a strenuous opponent of Hauhauism m 1865, and later on of Mormonism, which was introduced into the district m 1884. He will be greatly missed by Ngatiporou notwithk standing that he had already been laid aside for so many years.