OUR MISSION HOUSES

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 7, 1 July 1937, Page 6

OUR MISSION HOUSES

A recent tour of all the Maori Mission Houses of this Diocese has impressed one with the tremendous value and importance of the work, which is being carried on, week m and week out* by the devoted band

of lady workers who staff these institutions. At Te Hauke m Hawke's Bay, at Rotorua, at Gisborne, Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Te Araroa, near the East Cape, at Ruatoki, near Whakatane, and at Tauranga these Mission Houses, occupied by one, two, three or four workers, constitute an effective centre of spiritual influence m the scattered Maori communities where they are situated. The majority of the workers give their services on an entirely voluntary basis; and with their Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, weekly Scripture lessons m the day schools, and daily prayers at the Mission Houses, they are responsible for almost the whole of the Christian work among the children of the Maori race. To take one example of the extent of their influence: at Rotorua no less than six hundred Maori children receive regular weekly instruction m the Christian Faith, through the work of the Mission ladies. This teaching is given, not only m the particular centre where the Mission House is placed, but by motor car, bicycle, and on horse-back the ladies visit all the Maori settlements within a wide radius of their headquarters.