Rotorua.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 1, 1 July 1916, Page 14

Rotorua.

Vicar : Rev. E. E. Maclean, B.A. When it became known m Rotorua that large numbers of returned soldiers would be sent there for medical treatment, it was- decided, by the Vestry of S. Luke's Church, on the initiative «>f the' Rev. K. B. Madeian, to devote the Parish Hall to the purpose of a reading and recreation room for the men.. This was accordingly done, and the facilities provided . have been much appreciated by the men. The arrangement was, however, necessarily temporary and incomplete, and steps were taken, at the- outset of the understanding, to provide an institution of iv more permanent nature. Mr Maclean, as the result of some months' efforts, obtained subscriptions amounting to upwards of £270 towards the erection of a building for the purpose. The matter was brought before the Bishop of the Diocese, and finally it was agreed

that the project was one which should be carried o ut by the whole Anglican Church m New Zealand. Accordingly, the Military Affairs Committee of the Church has decided to erect, equip, and maintain a Soldiers' Institute m Rotorua, with the aid, of course, of the help which has already been obtained and the a.ss' stance of any persons who may be wiling to afford aid. The bui'd-. m? will be erected on the vacant portion of the Church land m Hatipapa Street, adjoining S. Luke's Church, and will-, it is anticipated, ccat from £~«o to £800. Tentative nlans have been prepared, providing fcr a large Social room, it is hoped, with a billiard table, writing room, kitchen, and lavatory. It is' proposed that a wWe verandah shall be carried 1 along the front and one side of the building, so as to afford a comfortable lounge m fine weather. The Institution will, of course, be for the use of soldiers of all religious denominations. The Bishop of the Diocese arrived m Rotorua on June loth. In the afternoon of the next day the Bishop was taken to Te Awahou by the Rev.L. A. Bennett. The natives welcomed him to their marae m native fashion as it was his first visit to the Ngatirangiwewehi. The chiefs, Te Koki Paora and Mohi Terau, delivered orations. The first ' presented the Bishop with £10, five of them -to go towards his personal expenses from Napier, and the rest to the Maori clergy of the district. The Bishop thanked the Maoa'is f 6r their hearty welcome. With regard to the £5 offered towards his expenses, he pointed out that he was only doing his duty by visiting them, and with their cjnsjnt he would like to devote t*ie money to the Melanesian Mission. This was agreed to. A Confirmation service followed m the Church of the Good Shepherd, when there were six candidates. In the -evening the Bishop administered the rite of Confirmation at S. Luke's Church. There were six male and four female candidates who were presented by the Rev. K. E. Maclean. Confirmations were also held at different Maori centres m the district. The monthly general meeting of the Rotorua branch of the Mothers' Union was held m S. Luke's Parish Hall on June 9th. The President, Mrs W. A. Carter, was m the chair, and there^ was a good attendance, about thirty ladies being present. It was resolved on the motion of Mrs Dyson, seconded by Mrs Morgan that the box of clothing to be prepared by the Branch should be sent to the Vicar of Portsea for the use of the families of sailors who lost their lives m the naval battle.