[357] TE TOA TAKITINI
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
Number 55
Hastings
1st March, 1926
VARIOUS ITEMS.
Although most of the discussions from the Ngati Porou Hui are in this edition of the paper not all the important matters are covered, The hui is ended and the issues it addressed were very serious, and it will not be possible to summarize what their outcomes will be for a very long time.
The business of this Hui related to the Church, the Government, the County Councils, the Maori lands, Maori without land, the soldiers, and the operations of those departments which give grants. These deliberations will feature in this edition of our paper; some matters will have to wait for another time. Therefore, we ask those who sent items for publication which we are not able to publish at this time not to be distressed. The matters dealt with at the Hui affect us all.
The conduct of the Hui came in for much praise as did the capability of our friend, A T Ngata, and all the committees under him. Congratulations to all of you.
THE BISHOPRIC OF AOTEAROA.
We have received a letter from Hare Reupena of Porangahau in which he says that he thinks it would be alright to have a Pakeha as our first bishop and he names his preferred person.
At the hui at Tikitiki the question of the bishop was discussed one evening. But it was not known that that matter was to be discussed. Therefore, many of those involved in the arrangements for that matter had not arrived at that hui. The matter was not proceeded with because the Bishop of Waiapu thought that it was not right that the matter be discussed by people from outside the Church of England because it was not their business. And indeed there were many non-Church people at that hui. This matter must be dealt with well and thoroughly. We must be careful in sharing our ideas lest this causes pain to our Bishop and our Pakeha friends.
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Published by the Rev F A Bennett, and printed at Cliff Press, Queen Street, Hastings, HB.
[358] Te Toa Takitini
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
The Price of the Paper is 10/- a year.
Address letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 300, Hastings.
1st March, 1926.
THE NGATI POROU HUI
On Monday, 15th February, most of the people were to be seen on the marae at Tikitiki. On this day there arrived the parties of the chiefs of Mataatua, Te Arawa, Waikato, Taranaki and Ngati Kahungunu. On the Tuesday morning the Governor-General and his wife and children and his secretary came onto the marae. Also there were Sir Maui Pomare and Lady Pomare, Sir Timi Kara and Lady Kara, the Bishop of Waiapu, Dr Te Rangihiroa, K S Williams MP and other Pakeha leaders.
As they came onto the marae the people began their welcome to this party from afar. Poi, haka, challenging songs, waiata were all performed before the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. Mataatua, Te Arawa, Ngati Kahungunu, from those who had already come onto the marae, joined with Ngati Porou to welcome the visitors. The Governor-General and all his party were very appreciative. The salutation was equal to the activities in excellence with the words of the haka reflecting what had been achieved by this marae. One thing it is appropriate to mention is that there was not one dirty word. We know that often people put different words into our haka and waiata. On this occasion it was not difficult to translate into English the words of the haka and waiata.
After the welcome, the Hon A T Ngata stood to address the Governor-General and the Prime Minister and the visitors from afar. His speech extended to the young men, Pakeha and Maori, who died during the war. Out of love this church was built and this memorial stone were erected to them. In the church is the craftwork of the Maori People; the carving, the painting, the lattice work, the taniko are all there. His sadness is that none of these wonderful Maori crafts were incorporated in Parliament Buildings when they were erected.
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The Governor-General,
When the Governor General stood his first word was a salutation to the Maori people for their loyalty and for the way the young Maori entered into the Great War. It is now 50 years since his father arrived amongst the Maori people when he was appointed Governor. Twenty years afterwards, the father of his wife also became Governor of New Zealand. That was when the Maori People showed their loyalty to Queen Victoria. At this time they have shown their loyalty to our King, King George.
He congratulated the Maori People. ‘Your descendants have entered upon the important offices of the Pakeha, and your offspring are vying with the offspring of the Pakeha in the field of education.’’
But you have rightly held on to the things that link you to your ancestors, the discussions, the songs, talk of spiritual things, the laments. Such precious gifts from your ancestors you must hold on to. My anxiety is that in pursuing the learning of the present day you forget the precious things and the extensive learning of your ancestors,
Their strength in sailing their canoes across the Pacific, their bravery in times of war, their wisdom – these are all valued things for your descendants to learn about and to preserve. The skills of Maori such as the carving, the lattice-work, and other remarkable arts of your forebears are to be retained lest they be lost, and taught to your children. But also be diligent in seeking the learning of the new world in the country’s universities. Send your children to find the ways by which some of them will become doctors, lawyers and public servants and other important work appropriate for them.
The Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister expressed his thanks for the welcome extended to him and his fellow-members of the Government. All kinds of matters relating to the Maori People have been brought before him for him to consider. If Maori continue to progress then the whole Dominion will progress. He wants Maori and Pakeha to progress together. If we look ahead we can cut a path so that our descendants coming after us will be able to see where to plant their steps. It is for us to establish the principles on which those yet to come can stand. Be strong, fight the fight, only by hard work will the Maori People emerge. No good or prosperity will come to lazy people, whether Maori or Pakeha. The respects paid to my leader, Mr Massey, I will pass on to his widow. Best wishes to you all.
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TIKITIKI, WAIAPU.
‘The Hui and the Prime Minister.’
At last we have had a hui large enough and influential enough where matters affecting the Maori People could be laid out clearly before the leader of the Government, the Prime Minister, Hon J G Coates. The hui which ended recently took place at Tikitiki in Waiapu on February 17th-18th. In laying out the thoughts of the People, no aspect of the issues as seen by Maori was left out whether they be the things that were proving disastrous for Maori or the difficulty of increasing involvement in farming. The erroneous thinking of those Pakeha who say that Maori are thriving was pointed out. It was made clear at that hui just how much land was wrongly taken, how differently the Pakeha worked such land, some got meagre returns, some land was taken under the confiscation provisions. The lands that remain are without titles and it is not possible to borrow money against such titleless lands, and so that land remains unfruitful. However, the Prime Minister spoke well and simply in responding to the important matters that were laid before him. He looked upon those matters with great sympathy, and he also said that he would make every effort, as much as was in his power, to see that the help given to Pakeha was extended to Maori.
It is right that we thank Pititi Huata of Mohaka for the clarity with which he laid out Maori thinking and the views Maori take on matters covering the whole Maori People. He suggested that the Prime Minister look carefully at the lands within the Ngati Porou area and the improvements that have come about as a a result of the tribe’s commitment to farming. Given that this is the case, it is right that he helps those proposals which will see the settlement and the working of lands, and projects relating to the tribe. As he sees it, it is good that Government helps Maori projects and, therefore, he should not give the ministerial office to another Pakeha; but, should he be thinking of giving the office to another person, he should give it t0 one of his Maori colleagues in Parliament. He should do his very best to help his Maori people. The Government is making every effort to settle Pakeha on the lands and it should make comparable and rapid efforts to establish Maori, for Maori have not yet been taught how to live on the land. It would be better to settle Maori on the land rather than give the land to immigrants because such people are unfamiliar with living on the land. Maori still know how to take the land in hand and make it grow things. Now things have been turned upside down because
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Maori have no land. The land is in the hands of the Government, and those lands sh0uld be placed in the care of the Maori, just as Pakeha are being settled on Government lands
A T Ngata also stood to remind the Prime Minister that he promised to set up a Commission to look into issues around Maori land. Many tribes are awaiting an explanation of how they can bring together land interests. Te Arawa is waiting. The people are looking to see this done. It is by rapidly making clear who is entitled to shares in the land that it will quickly become easier to find means of dealing with such lands. Such investigations are nearing completion in Waiapu area. It is not possible to collect rates when the titles are in such a state, nor is it possible to borrow money when the titles are in such a state. The valuations are for the year 1919 and so that they can with the prospect of consolidation there ought to be a new valuation. The roads require it to be done swiftly because it is the roads that will make it possible eventually to work the lands. There is Te Kaha which is waiting for a road to make it easier to set up Dairy Factories. It is right that the Government takes into account the strong growth of the Maori People, and this is something not to be forgotten, The tribe that is growing is a capable and healthy tribe, one that is not always looking backwards at its failings but is focused on the future. This is not something that people should be surprised at but is a consequence of the mixing of these two peoples. They can see the availability and the simplicity of the ways to go forward on the Pakeha side, it is only themselves who make difficulties. This attitude comes from south of Gisborne. The Pakeha have and the Maori have not. Those belonging to the Labour Party would set the Maori back. This party has emerged amongst us, and it has been observed that some of the members of the Labour Party are inclined to be jealous of Maori and think more of peoples of other places. This attitude is obvious in Hawkes Bay. When Australian shearers arrive there the Maori are made to stand aside. There is little of this practice in Waiapu but it happens south of Gisborne and is increasing. All the hapu here are united in wanting you to retain the portfolio of Minister of Maori Affairs. You appear to be very sympathetic. This may be good, it may be bad, who knows? This is an uncertain world for us, because at your side are the great Pakeha people. Maori are very few and the Pakeha are many, and the Pakeha members of Parliament are the great majority. Pakeha do not like Maori; this is not something from within, but it is something that they are not consciously aware of.
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But one thing is clear to us and that is your attitude to the people who were born in this country.
As for the land, most Maori land has been taken. It is true to say that the people of Nuhaka have no land at all because the land was bought by McLean. You will need a strong bridle to restrain the impetuous thoughts of the Maori People. We have observed in these areas the good fruits of schooling and learning. But the Government is not giving much support to education. If they have a lot of money children can go to the schools. Te Aute is the school which is which is contributing greatly to chidren’s well-being but most of the places are taken by people wishing to go there. The Maori schools are all under the auspices of the Church and many bequests have been made to ensure the growth of those schools for ever. The people want the Prime Minister, in his position as Minister of Maori Affairs to see that those growing up are educated because what will contribute to the well-being and growth of a people is the quality of the teaching delivered by those who provide it. There would not have appeared a Ratana on the West Coast if they had had the same quality of teaching there as there is on the East Coast. Education is very important. The difficulty arises because there has been a return to the rusty ways of guidance on the part of the Government. There is no desire for talking about the kinds of things that were done in the past, the things we value will set us up for the days to come.
Had it been a Pakeha people who had come here and their titles to the land were like those of the Maori, there would certainly be fighting. Were those Pakeha in debt to the Maori, the Pakeha would not have taken themselves off to a different place. It is said that Maori and Pakeha have had equal status for the past seventy-five years; this is a lie! The titles to the land are held jointly by the family and the lands with such titles are not secured to those who own the land. The Government says that it will consolidate the interests in the land. Pakeha folk are troubled at this time. One people regards the other with jealousy. It is right that the District Council thinks of the Maori in the same way they think of the Pakeha. Consider this: a Maori has been working his farm for twenty-two years and during that time three hundred pounds were spent on his road. When some Pakeha arrived in that district, three thousand pounds were spent.
The dealings over the Tikitiki Block were remarkable; there were no titles to this block and now they are almost settled. But many people have interests in that block. They have not been able to get a single copy of this kind of title. The Court is doing things differently. But although this is the situation the work on Tikitiki is going forward. We have to thank the Court of Appeal that we are in this position.
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Ngata’s final word was a request to the Prime Minister. He asked him to get the Government to support people with skills in carving and other Maori crafts so that they were not lost. In other countries of the world there were millions of people engaged in such activities but there were few such people here so he asked him to encourage and support such crafts.
THE PRIME MINISTER’S RESPONSE.
The Hon J G Coates.
As for Ngata’s words about Government help for Maori decorative arts, I would say that ‘The Maori Ethnological Board’ is doing a good job, and I do not hesitate to say that the Government will help in this area. The matter is being dealt with because it is right that we honour the practices of the past. This was not the case formerly, but from today, at last we are bringing to the light the customs of the Maori People. It was not long ago that the newspapers were saying that the Maori People were dying out. Many learned people sent articles to the newspapers saying that it would not be long before Maori disappeared. My hope is that the people who wrote such things will see how wrong their statements were and will come up with a programme to increase the Maori population. I affirm in my heart that there will be a project to help the people to continue to grow in strength and well-being.
As for Pititi Huata’s contention, that is a two-edged sword. Perhaps, had the Pakeha not come here, you would have died out anyway by killing one another, but there are several things we must take note of. One of them is the project to re-settle Maori soldiers. I have to say this: it was fortunate that some of those soldiers were unable to take up land when the price of land was very high. For some of them this was a misfortune. It is not right that Pakeha should belittle the Maori soldier when they and the Maori soldier stood together drive off the enemy in the time of war. It is right that we celebrate them together. We are carefully looking into one way of settling Maori soldiers on the land. This is an issue which affects the whole people, but particularly each individual young man in that battalion.
But, it is not right to expect something for nothing. It would not be right to give millions to you to be wasted; that would be wrong for the country and for you as well. You must realise that there is no honour in having riches if they are not acquired through work.
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Speakers have made clear that titles are useless if they do not enable one to borrow money with which to work the land. The purpose of work we know is to bring in money and it comes when the entitlements are clear, and also the certainty of the titles enable one to pass them on to someone else. But if we have to leave them until they become available we will have to wait fifteen years, and during that time the population will have grown to fifty thousand. So, since this is the situation, we must attempt to do something with all our strength. Although you have concerns about 75% of the members of parliament being Pakeha, you should know that they are thoughtful people, and when the time comes and circumstances are right to help you, we will make every effort to do so. Then perhaps, out of a desire to help you, the matter will be dealt with and money will be given that will promote farming even if the titles to the land have not been confirmed. You can see that there are many weighty matters before us and surrounding us. But if these are things worth fighting for, let us be strong, and let us seek ways of sorting out these issues. It cannot be quickly arranged for the Office of the Trustee to be the sole source of money for the people, no. When it is confirmed that a person has a title to the land then he will be able to apply for money from the office or the ‘Advances to Settlers Department.’ Your standing with that office is the same as that of the Pakeha. Some people make the laws and others administer them.
I must also say that the business of that office will bring benefits to the country. So, since this is a matter that also affects the Government, I will bring it before the Ministers of the Crown to see if some way can be found of helping the Maori [?Whamaa - ?farmers]. The Maori Affairs Department will carefully look into the speeding up the work of consolidating shares in land and the valuations. I give a great deal of thought to Maori education. Ngata has asked for thirty-thousand pounds (£30,000). I say that the work put in will reveal how worthwhile the results are, so I have given half the amount (£15,000). But I know very well that in time they will ask for the other half of that amount. I appreciate the justice of this request but most of the people of New Zealand would not see that, so it is best left for the moment. It is right to say that some people think that Maori have a lot of land and they are wrong in saying that. It is true that all the ways by which you can reach the high offices of the country are open to you, and there is
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before the Government an idea about a matter relating the Secondary Education. You should be aware that I have taken over as the Minister for the Public Works Department, and I observe that there is an opinion there that the Government should not build roads to Maori lands. The reason for this is that Maori will not agree to pay rates and, therefore, they should not be helped. As I see it, it is not the rates that need help but the people living on the land. There is a singe policy now that the roads are to be constructed, therefore it is right that you should be aware that when the roads are completed you should pay the same tax as your friends on the other side of your fences. The building of roads is being stepped up. The money being expended on roads from Wharerata to Hicks Bay is eighty thousand pounds (£80,000). This road will soon be completed from beginning to end along with the branch roads.
Ngata, thank you for your words of welcome to me. And I am gratified to be part of the great gathering of the Maori People, some of whose business is on my heart. The thing that is foremost in my thoughts is being Minister of Maori Affairs. The hope of my heart is that, with the help of my colleagues, I can promote policies which will profit the Maori People. Greetings to you all.
THE CHURCH.
One of the most remarkable churches in the country, the Ngati Porou building, has been completed. The plan for the building is taken from that of the Te Arawa church at Ohinemutu, but this one is ten feet longer. The ridge-pole and the beams are of Maori design. Inside, the house is decorated with Maori crafts – carving, panelling, taniko, designs and Maori mats. The carvings are painted with red ochre.
The Baptismal Font.
The baptismal font is carved. A man lifts the baptismal font above his head. The name of the man holding the font is Piripi Taumata-a-Kura. He is the man who first preached the Gospel to Ngati Porou in 1834. This man was captured by Ngapuhi in one of the Ngapuhi battles with Ngati Porou. Whiole he was living with Ngapuhi he met the missionaries and heard them preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. A Pakeha ship anchored at Waiapu. Some of the Ngati Porou chiefs paddled out to it. While they were on board the ship a storm sprang up. The strong wind meant that they were unable to return to land.
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The ship sailed with the Ngati Porou chiefs on board and eventually anchored in the Bay of Islands. There they met Taumata-a-Kura. They were returned on board another ship accompanied by Taumata-a-Kura. When they landed, Taumata-a Kura began to preach the Gospel. Ngati Porou welcomed their preaching. When permanent missionaries arrived – Mr Williams and the others, they found that Ngati Porou had already adopted the faith.
This baptismal font was made as a memorial to Taumata-a-Kura.
The Pulpit.
The most wonderful treasure in the church is where the preacher stands. This treasure was made by Te Arawa in Rotorua and was their gift to Ngati Porou. On that throne is beautiful taniko and superb carving. On the steps are two men exchanging a hongi – they represent Te Arawa weeping with Ngati Porou.
The Board with the Names of the Soldiers.
An item which evokes pity if the list of names (inscribed on kauri) of all the Ngati Porou soldiers who died on the field of battle and those who returned home to die of their injuries. The list contains 87 names. The inscription on that plaque reads:
A loving memorial to the Maori soldiers of Horouta and Takitimu.
(?Te Paritu ki Tareha)
Who took part in the Great War.
1914-1918.
Later our paper will print that list of names.
The Windows.
Another thing that is remarkable in the Ngati Porou church is the windows. The window in the sanctuary above the altar depicts Christ hanging on the cross. Below are two Maori soldiers gazing at the cross from amongst native trees. The cost of this window alone was £150. Some of the windows are decorated with tukutuku patterns and their borders with rafter patterns. The amount expended on windows alone was £700. It requires expert skills to make such windows. The window is first painted by an expert artist and then placed in a kiln to meld the paint and the glass of the window. This melding ensures that the picture cannot be scoured away and that it will last for ever.
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CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH.
At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 16th February, the Bishop consecrated the church. The ministers in the Bishop’s party were Archdeacons Simkin and Herbert Williams and the Revs. Poihipi and Reweti Kohere, Pine Tamahori, Hemi Huata, Peni Hakiwai, Mohi Eruini and Bennett, along with three Pakeha clergy. Also present were the Governor-General and his party, the Prime Minister and his wife, Sir Maui and Lady Pomare, Sir James and Lady Carroll, Mr Williams MP, and the chiefs of the Maori parties who had come to the marae. The local people did not enter the building out of consideration for their visitors. The building was full of people, Pakeha and Maori.
The request to the Bishop to consecrate the building was made outside the building by Hatara Te Awarau. The key to the building was given to the Bishop and then he and his clergy and the lay representatives entered to the processional hymn. Then the 24th of the Psalms of David was read and appropriate prayers were said.
Afterwards the Bishop and the ministers of the parish went to consecrate the baptismal font, the entrance to the sanctuary, the altar, and the pulpit using the appropriate prayers in each place.
In his sermon the Bishop congratulated Ngati Porou on this wonderful treasure they had built. Te Arawa had acquired its large church for large gatherings of the tribe, now Ngati Porou, this great tribe, has a sacred place in which the whole tribe can gather to worship God. He also expressed appreciation that the Govern0r-General had come among the Maori People at this time. It was appropriate that he, one of the generals during the war, had come because this building was a memorial to the Maori soldiers who took part in the Great War. The Bishop also paid tribute to Lieutenant Henare Kohere and Major Chaplain Henare Wainohu and made suitable references to all who had fallen during the war. The Bishop also congratulated Ngati Porou on this beautiful building they had erected. ‘Care for your church. Hold it sacred in your thoughts that your church may remain as a sacred memorial in the minds of the tribe to gui9de your hearts to the throne of God.’
The offering in the church was £27.
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THE INVEILING OF THE STONE MEMORIAL TO THE SOLDIERS.
At four o’clock all the people gathered at the stone memorial to the soldiers. Bennett led the service, the Bishop said the prayers, Tame …. From Te Mahia played the bugle, and the Governor-General spoke and unveiled the stone. The people were delighted by the content and the clarity of the Governor-General’s speech.
He expressed his joy that he was able to take part in this commemoration of the soldiers of the Maori People. ‘Some of you knew those men when they were infants. Some of you grew up with them. We knew them on the battlefields when we were deployed together, worked together and fought together. Therefore, our love and yours are joined together on this day when we remember your young men. They were a stone wall which blocked the enemy. It is their bravery, their stout-heartedness, that ensured our life and our well-being today.
A total of 2,600 young Maori took part in the fighting. Of this number, one in eight died. Three hundred and fifty young men from Ngati Porou went to the war. Of this number, one in five died.
The courage and bravery of your children will not be forgotten. It is recorded in the Roll of Honour of this Dominion. Maori were a brave people in the past. The bravery of your young men comes down from their ancestors. Teach your children as they grow up about the bravery and stout-heartedness and loyalty of those who now sleep the long sleep. Ensure that the spirit of courage, of strength and of loyalty of those whom we mourn today flows in the blood of your children.
Although their bodies lie in the countries of strangers, do not forget the ancient saying: “The grave of the warrior is the whole world.”’
The Memorial to the Soldiers.
The memorial to the soldiers stands above the church. The figure is that of a soldier. It was carved in marble in Italy. The inscription reads:
A memorial to those of Ngati Porou who went to the Great War, 1914-1918 – to
those who died and those who survived.
At the end of this part of the proceedings everyone gathered at the church. There is the list of names of those young men of Ngati Porou who died in the war. The Bishop of Waiapu led the service and the Prime Minister unveiled the list of names.
The Prime Minister said that there were 87 names on the list of young men, from Opotiki to Gisborne. It was a good thing to bring together the names of all the young Maori, whatever their Church, so that they are together in this beautiful Ngati Porou church.
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THE HUI AT TIKITIKI FOR THE CONSECRATION OF ST MARY’S CHURCH.
The Collection.
The hui was for the tribes of the Tai Rawhiti living within [Te Paritu o Parakeha]. Their donations were the foundation of the offering.
£ s d £ s d
Parish of Waiapu 1,600 0 0
Parish of Te Kawakawa 301 0 0
Whangaparaoa to Torere 369 0 0
Parish of Hikurangi 703 0 0
Parish of Tokomaru 220 0 0
Parish of Whangara 700 0 0
Parish of Turanga 500 0 0
From Meri Johnson and the children 20 0 0
Ehau Pakatai and his group 227 6 9
4,831 6 9
Te Paritu ki Tiwhanui 111 0 0
Kiwi Ormond 18 0 0
Heretaunga 103 0 0
Mormons 40 0 0
Matatua 95 0 0
Whakatane Maori Mission 12 6 0
Arawa 180 0 0
554 6 0
5,385 12 9
THE FIRST BISHOP APPOINTED FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF AFRICA.
E M Eruini.
In 1824 a large battle took place between the native tribes of West Africa. It was between the Fulah people and the Yoruba people. The Yoruba were defeated.
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Many died in the fighting and many were taken prisoner. All the prisoners were taken to Fulah territory where they became slaves or were sold like animals. In that company of prisoners was a woman and her son. The name of the son was Atiai. When the slaves were sold, the woman and her son were parted. The mother went to one man and her son to another. It was the last time the mother saw her son or the son his mother. Atiai was carried away by his new master. Not long after Atiai was taken by that man he was sold to another man for an agreed price. A day later Atiai was sold yet again to another man; the payment was one horse. The new master took to child to a distant land. After three months there the child was sold to a Muslim woman. This woman left, taking Atiai to a different country. For four months the child and other captives were taken about as slaves. They came to Muslim territory. Before two nights were over Atiai was taken by a fair-skinned man; it was the first time he had seen a European. From there he was taken to the country of the Spaniards. They arrived at the major city of that country where he was in the hands of the slave-traders of the town. Slave-trading was the main industry of that town. Slaves were bought to be taken to other lands including America. They sold slaves to make money for themselves. At the wharves of that town, a ship was waiting to carry the slaves to other lands. That night, Atiai and other slaves were taken on board the ship. Once on board he saw that many people were being carried off for sale. The total number was one hundred and fifty-seven. At midnight the ship left the harbour. They had not been on course for long when two warships appeared. They had been ordered by King George IV of England to apprehend slave-ships. HMS Myrmidon and HMS Iphegenia captured that ship. All the slaves were transferred to the warships where they were cared for. The appropriate fines were levied on that ship. All the prisoners were taken to Sierra Leone, a country on the south coast of West Africa, which had been set apart by England as a dwelling-place for freed slaves and Europeans. When the captives landed in that country the label of prisoner was removed from them, they lived well and they changed to living under the kindnesses of the King of England. The boy Atiai lived as the adopted child of the local schoolmaster. The light of learning began to shine upon that child.
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He grew in stature, in goodness, in strength, in his knowledge of farming, and he had a wise and humble heart. Good reports of Atiai reached the Bishop of that country. The Bishop came to see him and to instruct him from time to time. The schoolmaster continued his education while the Bishop taught him the things of God. There is still much to be said about this child, On 11th December, 1825, he was baptised and given the name of Samuel Ajayi Crowther. In 1826 he went to one of the Church colleges in London, England. When he finished at that scholl he returned to Sierra Leone to teach at one of the schools there. He taught there for a long time before being called to be one of the teachers at the leading college in that country.
While he was at that college he married Susan Thompson. He began to engage in working for God, and his thoughts turned to his people who were living in ignorance and without enlightenment. His heart lamented over his people and his thoughts were all for them. How were they to get understanding? He spent a long time thinking of ways to bring his people enlightenment.
His conclusion was that Christ must live close to his people day and night, for only Christ could bring them enlightenment.
But who was to go as Christ’s companion to this pagan people? It could not be a person of a different nation! It could not be a person who spoke a different language! But it should be someone of the people, of the country, who should bring Christ. ‘And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Who will I send and who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me. [Isaiah 6.8.] In June, 1843, Atiai was ordained Deacon.
He had been parted from his people for twenty-two years. He returned to bring them the Light of the World, the Christ, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. For eight months he told them of the authority and the power of Christ, day and night. At the end of eight months he was ordained Priest. For twenty years he was the steersman of his people, establishing the faith in all parts and crossing borders. Churches were built in all parts. In June, 1861, he was consecrated as Bishop, the Rt Rev Samuel Ajayi Crowther, DD. There is no comparable story amongst any other indigenous people. Taken as a captive at the age of nine. In his captivity he was made a slave. In 1891 Bishop Crowther died. His successor was also African. Twenty-one years after the sowing of the seed of fcaith in Africa an African bishop was appointed. We will be marking the centennial of the sowing of the faith in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu but we do not yet have a Maori bishop.
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We are hearing of the desire for a Maori bishop. Ngati Porou and all of Tai Rawhiti are united in wanting a Maori bishop for Aotearoa. Maori are resolute and the Maori heart will not be [?melted] by the Pakeha; it is only Maori who can soothe the Maori heart so that it is [?melted].
THE TE ARIURU CHURCH (TOKOMARU BAY)
We salute the remnant of Te Ariuru, especially the elders who planted this good seed, the efforts which raised the money, the hands that engaged with it, the heart that thought of the group of the new century. Your lands are full of people of whom one of you, Kereni, spoke proverbially: ‘If the stones of Marotiri are brought down by the falling waters of the river Waitakeo, such will be the large number of your descendants.’ Congratulations to the leaders of those of the branches who give their allegiance to the Holy Trinity. We are called Christians as commanded by Christ: ‘Go and proclaim the Gospel to the world and baptize all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’ [cf Matthew 28.19] We were indeed fortunate to see the Bishop of Waiapu consecrate this building of ours. We thank the Rev Pine Tamahori and the Rev Peni Hakiwai and the Pakeha minister for helping the Bishop. We also thank Peti Fairlie for playing the organ and we thank the choir. Thank you Horomona Te Hui and your fellow elders. Thank you Hori and the people for the [?paerauta] and the seafood. The gifts were good. The words of the sermon were for all of us and entered our hearts and will grow there. However the things that will not soon be forgotten are first, the Church, and second, the Stone Bridge.
These things make a single bridge. Perhaps we are finished with the troubles caused by the Waitakeo, the river that battered Te Ariuru, which we can now cross without anxiety. Perhaps we can see our church as a place where people can cross over spiritually. By your help we have entered this great treasure. Thank you. Our meeting together will not soon be forgotten.
Hakiwai and Tomoana.
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THE DAYS OF LENT.
These forty days of Lent are fast days. The Collect and the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent point out why these are fast days for church people. The words are:
‘O Lord, who for our sakes didst fast forty days and forty nights: give us grace
to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever
obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and
glory, who livest and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen’ [Book of Common Prayer]
Because our Lord has experienced all the temptations that afflict people, he knows our weaknesses and the means whereby we can be strengthened, namely, by praying to him. It was out of concern for us that he was tempted.
There are three avenues in which Christ suffered testing, and they are the same as test us. First: ‘Command these stones to become bread.’ This is a fleshly temptation. Second: When he was on the pinnacle of the Temple, the devil said, ‘Throw yourself down. You will not die.’ This was a worldly temptation. Third: the devil’s word was, ‘All these things will I give you if you worship me.’ However, Christ did not give in to any of these temptations – the fleshly, the worldly or the devil’s. The strength of Christ will be given to strengthen us if we repent and are sorry and pray truly to him.
In Christ’s sermon in the Gospel of Matthew he sets out the things that will enable a person to live rightly. They are praying, fasting, and giving, that is, almsgiving. The word ‘ohaoha’ is not an adequate word. There is no Maori word to convey the meaning of the English ‘almsgiving.’ It means the giving of things out of love, Christian love, It is by doing this that Christians bless the orphan and the poor, and further the spread of the gospel to people’s living in darkness. Prayer defeats the temptations of the devil; fasting suppresses the desires of the flesh; by almsgiving, by showing love to others, we put to death the world’s temptations and coveting the world’s goods.
Make every effort to pray, to fast, and to further the work of God in these days of Lent. Let us be courageous in taking up rightly our faith.
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UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL TO PARATENE NGATA.
On the Thursday the remnant of the Hui crossed the Waiapu River to Waiomatatini. On the top of the hill above Porourangi is the burial-place of the chiefs of Ngati Porou. There lies Paratene Ngata. It fell to A T Ngata for Te Arawa and Matatua to unveil our father’s memorial. The ministers at the service were Te Poihipi Kohere, Pine Tamahori, Reweti Kohere, Mohi Eruini, W A Te Waaka, Rangi Wharetini and Bennett. All the ministers took part in that service. Rangiteaorere of Te Arawa sang the lament for Paratene, Mokonuiarangi unveiled the memorial, and Mataatua sang the waiata that followed. Ngati Kahungunu from Moteo led the hymns.
Bennett spoke of Paratene’s concern for means of learning, and, although he has died, his descendants stand at the forefront of the tribes of the country in this and guide all the people to the ways of life today. Although Paratene belonged to Ngati Porou he was a father to all Maori children seeking faith and learning. Even though he was seriously ill Paratene was still thinking about the growing generation and he set up a fund for a scholarship for Ngati Porou children and provided assistance for the Clergy Stipend Fund.
Bennett commended Paratene’s descendants for their humility in making this unveiling a gathering for Maori only. The Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Bishop, and other were here who could have paid tribute to this famous Maori, but out of humility those important people were not invited and it was left to Maori to unveil the memorial today.
The words on the memorial are:
In memory of Paratene Ngata
who died on 15th December, 1924.
‘The pillar of Porourangi.
A leader of the Maori People.
A NOTICE.
Te Aute College.
This is to inform former pupils of Te Aute College that the Governor-General, General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, GCMG, KCB, LLD, will come to lay the foundation stone of the Te Aute Assembly Hall on Saturday, 27th March, 1926, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
You and your wives are all welcome to come and celebrate this new treasure for the Maori People. Come and show your love for your school.
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[A photograph of the West Window of the Ngati Porou Church.]
Two Maori soldiers kneel in front. Behind them are native trees – pohutukawa and cabbage-tree. In the centre is Christ hanging on the cross. The soldiers are looking adoringly at Christ on the cross.
Te Toa Takitini sends affectionate greetings to our leaders on the country’s many marae and to our children.
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