Maori Mission Committee.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 36, Issue 7, 1 October 1945, Page 11

Maori Mission Committee.

An important meeting of the Maori Mission Committee of the Diocese of Waiapu was held at Napier oh Tuesday, September 18th. Those present were the Bishop of Waiapu, the Bishop of Aotearoa, Very Rev. & S. O. Gibson, Ven. , J. B. Brocklehurst, Sir A. T. Ngata, Messrs. Gardiner, Loten, Pilson and Tatere. Travelling Allowance. A special committee was appointed to go into the question of travelling allowances for the Maori clergy. They are to meet during the next session of Synod. Te K&ha Pastorate. Mr. Tiweka Anaru wrote to the effect that this pastorate had now raised the sum of £600 towards the cost of a vicarage* and inquiring as to what help can be expected from the office. This matter was left m the hands of Sir Apirana Ngata to report on. Hikurangi Pastorate. A letter was received from the Native Department, Gisborne, enclosing cheque for £14 145., being a donation by Henare Kohere Ngata to the Hikurangi Pastorate Fund. Whakarewarewa Mission House. The secretary was instructed to obtain an estimate of the cost of dividing the* Mission House building and removing portion to adjoining section to-be used as vicarage for Pastorate. A resolution was passed thanking Miss Snoad for her past services and asking whether it would be possible for her to remain on for another two months before returning to England. In recognition of her faithful work for 25 years as special grant is to be made to Miss Snoad. Clergy Returning from Overseas. The Rev. M. A. Bennett is to be appointed to Nuhaka. The Rev. W. T. Huata to be organiser of Maori Youth work and Sunday school for a period of two years from the time of his return to work m the Diocese. Synod Hospitality. On account of the difficulty of finding accommodation for Synod representatives, the Bishop of Aotearoa stated' that all Maori members could be hospitised . at Kohupatiki. This offer was accepted. . January Retreat. The retreat at Te Aute College will take the form of a school of instruction and will be for both Maori and pakeha. The Bishop of Waiapu- will be m charge. Sir A. T. Ngata asked that the matter of clerical visiting m the Maori -pastorates . should be

brought up m the course of instruction. Marriages of Maoris under 21 Years. The Bishop of Aotearoa brought this matter up, as he had been m communication with the RegistrarGeneral and was informed that m the case of the Maoris there was no provision for obtaining the parents' consent to the marriage of any person under 21. The Bishop was requested to bring this matter up at next Synod. Training of Students at Te Rau. In reply to- Sir A. T. Ngata, the secretary stated that the amount resulting from the sale of Te Rau was no enough to establish a Maori Theological College. It was resolved that Bishop Bennett bring before Synod . a suggestion to St. John's Trustees as to, the necessity for (1) tuition m the Maori language, (2) appointment of Maori tutor, (3) pastoral work m the recess. Increased Accommodation at Te Aute College. After discussing the Te Aute Trust finances Sir Apirana Ngata was requested to formulate a deputation to interview the Minister of Education; the Premier and the Minister of Finance m connection with the financial position of the trust, as well as the earthquake loan. Canon XX. Native Church Boards. It was resolved that a bill' be drawn up to make the necessary amendments as suggested by Sir Apirana Ngata, and put before next session of Synod. Stipends of Maori Clergy. It was agreed that stipends 'of Maori Clergy be increased by £18 per annum as from the Ist July, 1945, Pastorate Endowments. The Bishop of the Diocese was requested to write to the Pastorates, stressing the need. for increasing the Pastorate endowments/ Sir A. T. Ngata pointed out that these endowments had been created by the older generation and had not been increased for many years. (Note.— The Bishop's letter m both. Maori and English will be found; m another part of this issue.) "\ Tauranga Mission. JThe Bishop was requested to write to Miss Birley appreciating her ; valued services to the diocese. As she was anxious to pay a visit to England for family reasons, the- committee intimated their willingness < that she should feel free to go whenever the^ time was suitable to her.