Letter from the Bishop.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 10, 1 April 1915, Page 114

Letter from the Bishop.

March 19th, 1915. My dear People, I am writing this under the kindly roof of Mr and Mrs Heald, where I have been staying for the last day or two. There is the joyous sound of falling rain outside, And my thoughts are travelling to Hawke's Bay, and I am wondering whether this, too, is sharing m the joy of it. Here, I am sorry to say, I have failed to keep one or two ajppointments owing to having caught a slight chill m some unknown way. However, thanks to the attention of my host and host-ess,-I' am now recovered, and shall be able to proceed to-morrow (Saturday) to Te Aroroa and take my Sunday services there as arranged. May I here express my disappointment at not being able to visit those who had so kindly offered me hospitality. And now let me return to where I left off m my last letter, viz., Friday, February 18th, at Tolaga Bay. Sunday, February 20th, commenced with an Early Celebration m the Parish Church ; then Matins

and Holy Communion m the Maori Church at Hauiti, at 10.30 a.m., where there was a fair congregation. This was followed by a baptism. I had just time to get lunch and drive out to Puketawai m time for a short welcome previous to the service at 3 p.m. The building of this Church at Puketawai, which stands well on a terrace above the settlement, was almost the last work done by the Rev. Nikora Tautau, before he met his death, some few years ago. It was nice to see the faces of the congregation brighten when I mentioned his name. He is held m very loving memory, and it was not far from here (at Hikuwai) that I received the news of the death of the Rev. Taimona Hapimana, who was an old friend and colleague of Nikora's. The loss of such men make great gaps m the Diocese, which are hard to fill, and at present, I have no one to put m Taimona's place at Opotiki. But to return — We had an excellent congregation at Puketawai m what is a large and well-ventilated Church. We closed our Sunday with Evensong m the Parish Church, when there was an exceedingly good congregation.. Thus, with the visiting of a dying Maori, my whole day was fully occupied. On Monday, February 22nd, I left my kind hosts, Mr and Mrs Holder, for Mangatokerau, the Vicar of Tola/ga Bay accompanying me, where we were the guests of Mrs Fitzgerald. Here we had a delightful Evensong. The next morninig the Vicar and I scaled the peak of the highest hill. It was a baking hot day, but we were repaid by the view from the top, besides, we had shown how young we are ! • ■ After lunch we set out for Waipare, Mr Frank Williams' delightful residence. Here we stayed the night, and we were again m the saddle soon after breakfast en route for Mr E. R. Murphy's, where we lunched, and eventually reached Hikuwai at about 4 p.m. We were now m the Tokomaru district, so Mr Barnett, Vicar of Tolaga Bay, left me here under the care of the Rev. Rahipene Rangi, the Mission priest of Tokomaru. Miss Davis had also come over from the Mission House. Here we were all most hospitably entertained by the Maoris m their meeting house. There was a good attendance at the service m the

meeting house (there being no Church), which was followed by a welcome. The Rev. Pine Tamahori also joined us here- and acted as interpreter. The next day found us m the saddle again mating our way to Mr Busby's (Pine now accompanying me), where we lunched, and here later m the day we were joined by the Rev. Digby Wilson, Vicar of Waipiro, who had been delayed by sad bereavement. He has been accompanying me ever since over his huge parish. We were m the saddle again next day (Friday), after -our hospitable entertainment, making our way to Tokomaru. We had Evensong m the Church at 7.30, but it was cloudy and wet, so the congregation was small. It was at Tokomaru Bay that the rain began last year which eventually blocked my progress north — was the same thing going to happen again ? There were murmurs of " Bishop's weather." However, the next day it cleared, and the afternoon found us playing a cricket match— the Bishop's eleven v. the Rev. Pine Tamahori's. It was very enjoyable, the rain had quite disappeared, and great breakers were rolling m just beyond the cricket pitch. The Bishop's side won— sl to 48. This match is to be an annual affair ! Sunday was a full day commencing with Holy Communion at 8 a.m. (English), Matins at 9 a.m., Baptisms and Holy Communion (Maori) n a.m., a talk with the Maoris after lunch about the building of a Vicarage (Tokomaru), English service at 3 p.m. at the Mission Hall at Waima. This Hall was a billiard saloon which came into the market, and which the Vicar wisely acquired, the people m the district taking the greatest interest m it, and furnishing it. We had a delightful service. I sincerely congratulate the Vicar and the people upon their work m acquiring this. After this I confirmed privately one who was not well enough to come to this service, and the day closed with Evensong and Confirmation m Tokomaru Church at 7.30, when there was a large congregation. This was Sunday, February 28th. On Monday, before leaving, we had a Children's Service m the Church, both pakeha and native; — there was an excellent attendance^

Then, once more m the saddle, we rode out to the Waipiro Hospital, where I visited the patients, and after tea with the Matron, we were again under way, this time making- for Puketiti, Mr A. B. Williams' home. It was a glorious evening as we rode up. The native bush which has been planted round the house was lovely m the evening lig-ht, Here, high up m the keen and lovely air, we were glad to sit round a fire at night. Refreshed with our stay; our horses were again m requisition, and we set off after lunch for Ihuniria (but not by the shortest wav !). Here we were entertained by Mr and Mrs Burdett. After tea we had a nice Evening Service m the men's whare, commencing with a baptism. The next day (Wednesday), booted and spurred, we set off for Waipiro, breaking our journey at Takapau Station, where we lunched with Mr and Mrs Wilder. Refreshed, we rode through to Waipiro, arriving early m the afternoon. We had Evensong m the Church at 7 p.m., for Eoglish and Maori. On Thursday, we had a Celebration of Holy Communion for both races at 8 a.m., and m the afternoon we set out (Pine accompanying me this time) f for Whareponga, where I stayed with Mr and Mrs Croghlan, _at the School House. We had tea with the Maoris at the Meeting House, and then a very nice service m the Maori Church, which is m good repair and very nicely kept, with crood furniture. Here one of the Maoris made a very nice wooden cross for the Altar, which he finished m time for the service. After the service we all adjourned to the Meeting House where I was . welcomed, no less than three Maori women making speeches of welcome, which is unusual m my experience. Perhaps they are qualifying as suffragettes ! The next morning (Friday) we had a most reverent Eucharist m the Church at 7 a.m!, when twelve communicated. After breakfast with the Maoris, who entertained us royally, I addressed the children^ m the school, taking them m a few lessons from the war. Then we (Mr Wilson and I) set out on our faithful steeds for Tuparoa, where we were the guests of Mr and Mrs T/iidbrook. Here a cricket match had been arranged — Married v,

Single —• m which the former, captained by Mr I/udtorook, were victorious. My contribution was more suggestive of the larder than the pavilion ! We had a bright Evening Service for English and natives at. 7.30 p.m., when there was a good congregation, and on Saturday, we had an Early Celebration at 7 a.m. In the afternoon we set out for Kaharou (Mr T. S. Williams). Miss Williams was m Tuparoa, so I got a drive out m the buggy, which was a rest for my horse and myself. Sunday, March 7th, commenced with Holy Communion at 8 a.m., for English, m Kaharou Church. — Indeed all the services were at Kaharou. — 11 a.m. Matins and Holy Communion (Maori), lunch with the Maoris ; then a welcome Evensong (Maori) at 3 p.m. with Baptisms, and Evensong with Confirmation (English) at "7" p. ml. On Monday I had a long talk with my host about the Maori work m which he takes a deep interest. In the afternoon, we left for Matahiia (Mr K. S. Williams), after calling on Mr and Mrs Wickr stead at Makahika. Here again I was able to drive, Mr K. S. Williams kindly riding my horse so as to save me. From Matahiia we visited ""Wairangomai, Pakihiroa, Reporua, Rangitukia. At Wairangomai Schoolroom we had a Confirmation there being three adults. At Pakihiroa (Mr Reed's) we had a jbright service for station hands, m the whare. At Reporua, where I was the guest of Pen! Hayes, a service m the Meeting House was held, which was excellently attended, and a welcome afterwards ; and at Rangatukia, where I was hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Hope, we spent Sunday. The Rev. jPohipi Kohere, the priest m charge of Rangdtukukea, had met us at Repoura, and had come with us. I also visited Waiomatatini school on the way, where we were entertained by Mr and Mrs Dale. On Sunday, March 14th, we had Matins and Holy Communion (Maori) at Rangitukia at 10.30, ; English service at Tiki-tiki at 1 p.m., and Evensong at Port Awanui 7 p.m. Mr Kirk very kindly fetched me from Rangitukia and brought me back m his motor car on the Monday to Rangitukia. I am writing this m Te Araroa,. where I have come for the Sunday

services to-morrow, and am staying m the School House, the guest of Mr and Mrs Downie. This has grown into such huge dimensions that I am wondering what the Editor will say or do. I wish I could find space to tell of the kindnesses received, . and of hopeful signs of Church life. My thoughts will be ,with the clergy during the coming Holy Week, and with my people generally throughout the Diocese, especially on Good Friday and Easter. May we learn to " Suffer with Christ that we may be also glorfied together." I am, Yours sincerely m Christ, : . WM. WAIvMSIvEY WAIAPU.