The Mission at Ruatoki.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VIII, Issue 12, 1 June 1918, Page 97 (Supplement)

The Mission at Ruatoki.

A brief history of the Maori Mission at Ruatoki, Bay of Plenty, m the Diocese of Waiapu, will make us understand its need and its importance. Iv 1903 the Chief Kereru sent his daughter, Rotu, to be trained at Hukarere School, Napier, our Diocesan School for Maori Girls. Here coming under Christian teaching, and under the splendid influence of the Misses Bulstrode, she was baptised and confirmed. In 1905 she left school, and went to the Mission House at Whakarewarewa, Rdtorua, for training m mission work. Here she worked with an English lady, Miss Doyle, a woman of saintly character. She remained there for about a year, and then she wrote to Bishop Williams — then Bishop of Waiapu — saying that although she was quite happy, she was all the time thinking of her own people at Ruatoki, who were living m heathen darkness. Could she go> home, and carry the message of love to them. The Bishop consented, and she and Miss Doyle (who was moved at Rotu's earnest entreaty) went to Ruatoki together. The only house available was nothing more than a wooden hut. It was not even watertight. Here they began their work. They got the children together, housing those whom their parents allowed to come ,to them, and m this way the sowing began which was soon to bear precious fruit. They realised they must begin with the children, getting them away from their heathen surroundings into a Christian atmosphere^ and steadily and patiently teaching them. As ,the work grew the small house was enlarged, first by adding one wing, then another, and soon it became the centre of a strong Christian influence. Then came visible results. Some of these heathen children were baptised, after careful preparation, and confirmed (on the steps of the Mission House), and five girls were subsequently sent to Hukarere School.

The work grew steadily under the devoted care of these two, till at length Miss Doyle, who was Bever strong, broke down; m her self-denying work for others she never properly looked after herself, and finally she had to resign, and is now living m Australia. . About this time Rotu married, and although since her marriage she lias resided not far from the Mission House, of course her direct work there had to cease. This was the first stage of the work. . • . ■ These two workers left behind them a faithful little band of Christians, and soon after, the Rev. Peni Hakiwai was appointed the first Mission Priest of the District. He was placed , m charge of the Mission House with his wife, helped by a native girl, Kate Whaanga, belonging to another tribe. Now comes a further romantic stage m the history of this Mission.* In 1912 a Mission was held at Ruatoki by the Rev. F. A. Bennett. This was greatly blessed, and the practical outcome was that the Ruatoki Christians determined that they must have a Church. But how? They were bu.t a handful, and not blessed with much of this world's goods. They jtroposed to solve the difficulty m this way. They would go up into the bush, cut down timber, sell it, and with the proceeds build .the Church. So about 7 married men with their wives and little ones set out for the hills. There they camped. They felled trees, they cut them into logs (the husband at one end of the cross saw, the wife at the other). The timber was floated down the river, and sold at the cream factory. With the proceeds the Church Avas built, or at any rate the main bulk of the money was raised m this way, the balance being gi\en on the day the Church was opened, by the Maoris of other tribes who had come together, some from afar, to show .their sympathy. I opened the Church on April 19th, 1917. It is dedicated m the' name of St. Saviour.- The interior of the Church is very effective. The sanctuary arch is covered with the characteristic Maori carvings, and the sanctuary walls lined with their beautiful reed work. Now comes the 3rd. stage. . . Tlie Rev. Peni Hakiwai lias done faithful work at Ruatoki for the last six years. He has lately been sent to England to minister to the Maori soldiers there m Camp, and Hospital, and is now at the front. The Rev. Paora Temuera is now priest m charge of. the Ruatoki Mission, his wife helping him with the children m the Mission house. I am most anxious to obtain the services of an English lady who will .take over the care of the Mission House, with, a trained Maori girl to work under her. I can then set the Rev. Paora Temuera free for fuller ministrations to his people m his widely scattered district. There is yet another pressing need. The old Mission House is quite inadequate . for our present requirements. It has been at. the best a temporary abode, patched and added to. A site has been given by the Maoris on the hill about 150 feet, immediately above the Mission House. It is a beautiful site commanding a view of the valley and of the distant hills. .This is now fenced off and will be shortly transferred to the Diocese. Here I propose erecting a new Mission House, more healthy and commodious, where we shall be able to take a larger number of children.. I consider Ruatoki will be one of our largest Mission Centres. The valley, which is extensive, is most fertile. The Maoris are doing well m the dairying industry, keeping their own cows and sending their cream to the factory.

OUR POLICY. Every Maori Settlement of any size thro ughout the Diocese has a Native Government School within reach, ' and I can bear testimony to the excellent work done by the teachers m these Native State Schools. There is no need to establish Church Schools m these districts, nor would it be possible. But it is most important that the education the children get m these Native Schools should be supplemented with sound religious and church teaching, and, where possible, to establish Mission Houses, or Hostels where the children can be boarded and trained m a spiritual atmosphere. Ruatoki Mission was started with this object and the success it has achieved justifies the further expenditure I am appealing for, and a like venture m other centres m the Diocese. Our immediate needs, then, are, a lady full of the missionary spirit and of love for little children, and financial help to build, our new Mission House. The estimated cost of a Mission House to fulfil our requirements is £1100, of this I have £500 m hand. Donations will be thankfully received by the Diocesan Treasurer, P.O. Box 227, Napier, or by myself. > . Wm. WALMSLEY WAIAPU Bishopscourt, Napier, May, 1918.

Herald Print, Napier.