Maoris Say Farewell

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 1

Maoris Say Farewell

Maori people of the diocese gave the retiring Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. A. K. Warren) a colourful farewell yesterday after a special church service.

About 500 parishioners, of St. John’s Anglican Church, intruding Maoris from throughout Canterbury and Westland, attended a luncheon at the Horticultural Hall. The Rev. M. Mete, Maori missioner for the South Island, conducted the service and was assisted by the vicar of St. John’s (Canon D. D. Thorpe), the Rev. R. Thompson and Canon H. Montefiore, a guest lecturer at the University of Canterbury and vicar at the Great St. Margaret’s Church, Cambridge, England.

Bishop Warren preached to the congregation. A recital in Maori was given by the Te Wai Pounamu College choir. Bishop Warren was traditionally challenged by a Maori warrior before a party from the Kaihanga Maori Boys’ Hostel gave him a welcome haka at the luncheon. The St. John Maori Club gave a welcome action song. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Mrs Warren, and Bishop Warren received a symbolic Maori carving, entitled "Tangi te Wairua” (The Wailing Spirit). They were also given greenstone jewellery. Bishop Warren greeted the gathering in Maori.