Revision Of The Maori Bible

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 100, 21 November 1947, Page 5

Revision Of The Maori Bible

Committee Welcomed' At Ohope Appreciation of the fact that Ohope had been chosen as the venue for the present session of the Maori Bible Revision Committee was expressed by representative speakers at a welcome to the members of the committee on Monday evening, in the • meeting house of Te Hinota Maori of the Presbyterian Church. Assurances were also given of the goodwill and sympathetic interest of the Church people and the citizens of Whakatane in the committee’s great work. Rev. H. Hogg, secretary of the Ministers’ Association, apologised for the absence of the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, the Vicar of Whakatane, Rev. J. C. J. Wilson, and the Methodist Minister, Rev. F. J. Climo. On be-

half of the Association Mr Hogg voiced the gratification of members that it had been possible for the Revision Committee to meet in the district. Everyone realised, he said, that the members of the committee had shouldered the heavy responsibilities of revision despite the fact that they were intensely busy men. “We are glad to have you among us and we value your visit for the worth of the .work you have undertaken,” he added.

The Rev. H. M. Bell of Knox Presbyterian Church, in supporting the address of welcome given by Mr Hogg, reminded the committee that

although much of their work was done quietly and often without public acknowledgment or interest, this was ho indication of the real importance of that which was even now taking place. It had been so in the time of Christ and history had proved it to be so down through the centuries. Mr Bell called to mind the historical significance of the present setting of the Revision Committee’s gathering at a point at such close proximity to the landing place of the Mataatua canoe. In conclusion the speaker expressed his gratification in being associated with the welcome.

Addresses of welcome appropriate to the occasion were also delivered m Maori by the Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, Convenor of the Revision Committee, Rev. J. N. Smith, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Maori Missions (Presbyterian), Rev. Wharetini Rangi, the Anglican Vicar of the Maori Parish of Ruatoki, and Mr Kere Hotene of Ohope.

Sir Apirana Ngata, distinguished Maori scholar and indefatiguable worker in the interests of the Maori race, in reply voiced his own appreciation and that of his colleagues for the cordial welcome afforded them and for the consideration which had been given by Mrs Laughton, Sister Aileen and their lady helpers to make their stay at Ohope comfortable. Mr William Bird, a former Senior Inspector of Native Schools and a member of the committee, who also spoke in support of Sir Apirana, said that he counted it a great honour to be invited to have a part in the present work of revision. ‘Mr Bird said he was ' confident that when the task of revision was completed that the Maori Bible would be eagerly read not only for the spiritual messages which it contained but for the purity of its diction.

Three other members of the committee, Revs. E. Te Tuhi, W. N. Panapa and Te Hihi Kaa briefly expressed thanks for the welcome.