Impressive Maori Ceremony Of Farewell To Sister Annie, Ruatahuna’s Veteran Woman Missionary Worker

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 86, 25 August 1948, Page 5

Impressive Maori Ceremony Of Farewell To Sister Annie, Ruatahuna’s Veteran Woman Missionary Worker

All of the remote community who could move must have been there, at the pah on the terrace above the stream. Many more there were, too, from places far scattered, drawn all by the one sincere motive —to do honour to one richly deserving of it.

Many came on foot and the roads :in the settlement were bright with .-school children in gala dress, many with pois in their hands or at their belts, making their way to the appointed meeting place. The sun shone readily, but a wind ■ only recently set free from snowymountain tops blew down .along the valley—perhaps to ease Sister Annie’s departure to the warmth of Ohope which is to be her home. At the meeting house were gathered the local tribes people and amongst them their beloved “Hoani” —the Superintendent of Maori Missions. There were the formal greetings and speeches of welcome eloquent, poetical, dignified and sincere. There was the Maori hospitality, generous unstinting and with a • courtesy that ensures for the guests the first and the best. A very effie cient team of helpers carried through the preparing and serving of food to all who chose to be present—a : few score more or less seemed to offer no whit of embarrassment to the • commissiariat. Then in front of the meeting house there went forward the first day recognition of Sister Annie’s work and worth. ' The actual farewell was planned for the Sunday when in the comely Mission Church the spiritual leader of 30 years or so would give her farewell message. Saturday was the occasion for the presentation of gifts and these gave clear indication of a peoples’ deep gratitude for outstanding service offered for their sake. It was not surprising that children of Sunday School or day school should come forward with thoughtfully chosen presents and oft-re-hearsed speech. It was to be expected that older church groups would "be anxious to give tangible evidence of their heartfelt gratitude for one who had plated them all in her debt. Many times over these things, they knew, had been abundantly earned. What was most impressive was the proportion of men of all ages in the assemblage and the tributes paid by several of them to a lady missionary. With the utmost sincerity and with deep feeling it was declared “She has been as a mother to us!” ' A period of time that has included two world wars and one depression—and one restless peace—will have given Sister Annie abundant •opportunity to “mother” her Israel.

Nearly thirty-two years ago Sister Annie, of the Presbyterian Mission, entered upon a work in Ruatahuna which she developed and maintained with great distinction and which, in one sense only, was brought to a conclusion at the past week-end in great honour.

And that not with weak indulgence for it was testified that she could chide as faithfully as she could bless. That justice and mercy were rightly blended in her was asserted in an utterly sincere tribute from the local policeman who said there were not words adequately to expres what Sister Annie had meant to their whole area. These things, varied and' amplified, were the burden of . speeches made by chief of districts, by a past manager of the Maori Land Development Scheme, Mr Tidswell of Opotiki, by Mr Stunnell on behalf of past school teachers and by Mr Biel for the present staff. A young man presented a gift from the Night Owl Orchestra and, indicating further Sister Annie’s versatility, a presentation came from the local football club. } And every speaker was moved by a deep sincerity that occasionally frustrated speech.

The presence of the Rev. D. N. and Mrs McDiarmid was welcome and most suitable and he, representing the Presbyterian Church throughout New Zealand as its Mission Secretary, brought the tribute of all that church in whose name Sister Annie had served. It must have been with the utmost . difficulty that Sister Annie found utterance -in reply, but the strong spirit that has nerved her during all the years did not fail her and she spoke to her people as a mother should, with strength and tenderness bidding them be loyal to the truth as it had been taught, and lived amongst them. There are some beautiful gifts which this honoured worker will carry away to the home by the sea' a splendid clock, whose case shows .Maori carving at its best and most significant, a crystal bowl, n mirror, electric jug, iron and pressure cooker, pictures to adorn her walks and much beside. Most satisfying will be the remembrance, of a whole district's" manifest love and gratitude rnd the wealth of affection poured out to her by a people amongst whom for ?0 years and more she had laboured, never counting the cost too great, never seeking for my reward save that of knowing that she did the will of her Master, i Maori songs and dances were given in the course of, an unforgettable afternoon and then, with weary sunbeams on only the highest hills, all sat on the ground at the tables which would assuredly have groaned.if they had not been solid Mother Earth. %