Combined Service Unique Feature Of Celebrations

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 1, 27 September 1950, Page 4

Combined Service Unique Feature Of Celebrations

A further unique feature of the Maori Centennial Celebrations was the combined service of thanksgiving by four denominations on the marae of the Wairaka Pa last Sunday morning. The service was without precedent and added further to the standard of the proceedings throughout the festivities. In glorious sunshine some 500 persons attended, and the combined choruses which arose in the green historic amphi-theatre were again symbolic of the unity which had been featured in the speeches on the previous day. The Roman Catholic service preceded that observed by the Ringatu, Presbyterian and Anglican. The chants of Te Kooti’s religion were heard as a prelude to the orthodox service and a group on the steps of the meeting house added colourful fervour under the leadership of Tribal Elder, Pera.

Rev. Irwin, of Te Whaiti, opened the Presbyterian session reading from Hebrews 11 ;53. He was assisted by the Revs. Madill, Ruatahuna, and Kaihora Puahi. Te Teko. Rev. Lloyd Carter, Opotiki, led. in prayer.

Anglican prayers were offered by the Rev. Wharetini Rangi, while Rev. Panapa, Taupo, spoke of the fitting nature of such a service to culminate the celebrations. He quoted a recent Maori scholar who v/hen flying to the U.S.A. had looked down on the small spot that was Honolulu, and had muttered ‘what was the greater miracle—to be flying in a man-made plane across the world or to have crossed the Pacific as his ancestors had done in an open canoe?’ The achievement had been an inspiration which Maori and Pakeha alike could draw from in the future.

The Rev. Panapa had some thoughtful observations to make in the course of his address. He quoted the late Bishop Bennett’s fears for the future of the Maori race, ana described his own opinion which was far more' realistic. “I consider,” he said, “that the Maori must go on. He cannot go back. He must go forward with the Pakeha and take all its bad with its good. All its drinking, its gambling and other things which are infecting the Maori nature. They are all part of the temptations which must temper the race as it, has the Pakeha. They must strengthen us. We must not be wrapped up in cotton wool. We must meet these challenges and overcome them as our ancestors overcame the ocean of Kiwa and gave us inspiration to progress to higher and higher things.”