MAORI WORK.

White Ribbon, Volume 13, Issue 159, 15 September 1908, Page 4

MAORI WORK.

Our Now Zealand Superintendent of this important Department, Miss Prances P.arton, writes that she has taken a small cottage at \\ hakaparu, and has Keen received and welcomed hy the Maoris gladly. “ Indeed, she says, “they fairly liesiege the little mission cottage asking me to pay a visit and arrange some meetings. At first I opened a Sunday school in our little sitting room, with a hoard <ui two boxes for a seat, then with the help of four Kuropeans I got the promise of a hall for one afternoon a week for gospel temperance meetings and on Sunday afternoon for the school and children’s church, as my room was far too small. Upwards of 100 children attend the day school. There is a church hut it is owned by the Mormons. There is great scope for work, too, amongst the girls at the North Cape, where there is not even a State school. This present cottage eocts in rent 4s. a week, hut it is not large enough to accommodate any who need training and teaching. If i could he sure of my rent for a larger house 1 would at once send for one or two girls who need Christian training and help. Kent is cheap here, though houses are not easy to get. If £SO a yta r for two years could In- raised until the Home is fairly started, I believe it v ould be almost self-supporting; it is suggest»*d, too, that the Government might g*ve some he'p. Nits. Graham, of

Gisborne, suggests a plan that would bring in a considerable sum if it could he worked, that is, if each member of the W.C.T U. would contribute Is. “ Towards helping on the work I have received from the Napier Union £J (including £1 from Mrs. James Bihby, NVaipawa, and 4s. from Mrs. Harrison Lee), 10s. from a Bible (’lass in Whangaiei, ss. from an Auckland lady, and two boxes of partly-worn clothing which I can dispose of to help to raise funds for our exchequer. “ 1 shall he glad to receive any help or sympathy in this much needed mission, and 1 pray it may he put in the heart of soim earnest Christian lady to join me in the work. lam hoping to communicate personally with each Union hy circular on the general work as N.Z. Superintendent of Maori work. Address—- “. Miss Frances Barton, “ Maori Mission Cottage, “ Whakapara, “ Whangarei.”

TANCOIO W.C.T.U. .V very successful gathering in connection with the W.C.T.U. recently formed here, was held on August 25th, when Mrs. Oldham, “District President, and Mrs. King, of Napier, visited us. Great enthusiasm was shown hy the natives, and a n al “Maori welcome was extended to the visitors. Miss Stirling and Mrs. McFarlane received the visitors, w ho were entertained at lunch by the Maori members of the Union. Curing the afternoon a most profitable meeting was held. Mrs. Oldham presided. Speeches of welcome were de livered by Te Teira Te Paea, chief of the pa, Mi hi Xgawakarau, President of the Maori Union, and several other leading natives, each of whom expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Pakeha women for coining amongst them and welcome ! them heartily into their Union, and ex pressed their desire to live good lives and uphold the motto of the Union—“ For God and Home and Humanity. Mrs. Oldham then addressed the meeting, Miss Stirling acting as interpreter. The add re.v w as listened to w ith much attention. The speaker pointer! out the importance of providing proper food for the children and the great responsibility resting on the women and mothers. She also explained the many objects of the Union—“ Why we Wear our Badge,” etc. —and a very profitable time was spent. At the close of the meeting the

visitors were again entertained by the natives, tea being provided in the meeting hou-e, after which by special request Mrs. Oldham ga\e an address to young men, urging them to live sober, industrious lives, pointing out the terrible results of a life w aited in dissipation and wrong-doing and compared it with that of the man who lived to serve and please God, and when this life is over receives the Master’s “ Well done, g»>od and faithful servant ! After the usual votes of tiianks a very enjoyable and profitable evening was brought to a, close. The success of the gathering is largely due to the energetic and faithful way i* which Miss Stirling has for some time been working among the Maoris here. There are now only two women mi the pa who have not signed the pledge, w hich must indeed l»e most encouraging to Miss < tirling, and show’s plainly that God is indeed with us and working in our midst. Before leaving Tangoio the visitor* were shown through the native school, and expressed their great pleasure at the good work done there, also at the cleanliness of both school and children. The President of the Napier Union visited the Hukarere School (Maori girls) on Thursday morning, August 27th, at the request of Miss Williams. After a hymn was sung in a very pleasing way, and prayer offered, the girls numbering about GO were greatly inteiested in hearing about Temperance work amongst their own people. Six of tne older girls signed the pledge, the others being asked to think over and pray about the qu**tion, as it is felt to he better for the girls to thoroughly understand the matter before taking the pledge. It is hoped the Napier W.C.T.U. will We able to organise both European and Maori Unions at Wairoa before vety loi g.