RETIRING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1671, 11 February 1913, Page 5

RETIRING.

REV. W. GITTOS, MISSIONARY. SIXTY YEARS' WORK. . At the United Conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand yestorday, the Rov. W. Gittos, n very wellknown missionary among the Maoris', applied to be made a supernumerary,' For many year? Mr. Gittos was in charge of tho Kaipara. district, and for tho last twenty-eight years lie has been in command of the whole of the Maori work in North Auckland. Altogether he has done GO years' work among tlio Natives of this country. In making the application, Mr. Gittos stated that ho had been very liapjpy in his sphere; but lie felt that now, with changes being made, new life was needed in the work. He had been able to assist in showing the Maoris that there was a knowledge,which was moro valuable than theirs. Now, more energy than he possessed was required for the work, ana in fairness to the' Church lie should allow a younger man to do it. Tho conference secretary (Rev. C. H. Laws) moved to accede to the request. He, said that they would'never be able' to estimate the value of Mr. Gittos's fvork. The Rev. G. Bond (Auckland) seconded tlio motion. He. said that Mr. Gittos's influence in Maori affairs had been felt even in. politics; his advice had been sought by Governments. All trusted that he would have a long, quiet, peaceful .eventide. . '

The Rev. J. "A. Luxford said he did not think that there had been a single Government which had not found it advisable to seek Mr. Gittos's assistance" in Maori matters- And more than once he had averted bloodshed.

Other members of the; conference eulogised Mr. Gittos; nnd tjie conference ■resolved to urge the retiring missionary to malic some record of his experiences. ; A report from the Home Mission Committee respecting the retirement of Mr. Gittos was presented by the. Rev. C.. H. Laws. It stated that through all changes and trials ho had been constant and faithful to the Native people "and their interests; never faltering in danger, never shrinking in trial, never repiningjn hardship, never, idling, and scarce ever resting in toil. Hence it would como to pass that his rnana among the Maori, people had grown to b6 a thing apart and unique.- There was probably never any prestige greater, tlian his, and none coinparable with it' r.ow survived'. -Mr. Gittos was tho last of "a raco .of giants, and could have no successor in his honours and influence among the Maoris, nor could he transfer to' another the authority and dignity which, service and time had conferred on him.' - It was,, however, of the last importance that as much as possible of the experience and knowledge gained by- him should be placed at the disposal of his successor. Fortunately it was-his fixed aim to wear , out, but never to rust, so-that his personal inspection w.ould still be . bestowed upon the mission ns far as possible, and his counsel and .. co-operation would be given to whoever might become responsible for the administration. The committee had been able to arrange with Mr. Gittos terms highly' favourable to the work, and submitted the following resolutions (which were carried)(l) That the ..request of the Rev. W. Gittos to become a supernumerary be complied with. ,(2) That no successor bo appointed to the offico; of superintendent of Maori Missions. (3) Thatiheßev. T. G. Brooke, organising secretary pf Home. Missions, undertake t.lio supervising' and organising of the northern Maori mission .work, with the Rev.'W. Gittos as his kindly adviser. (i) Tha Rev. T. G. Brooke retain his S resent office, but-that the schedule of uties be suspended for. the present vear, and that Mr. Brooke devote to the Maori Mission such portion of his , time as. may seem right 'to him after consultation with Mr.- Gittos and the executive. (5) That the salary and allowance of the

Dev. T. G. Brtfoke remain as'.at- present, and the Rev.;W. Gittos receive nil honorarium of ,£IOO a..year and .£49 travelling allowance.

■ OTHER • RETIREMENTS: Other ministers who now become supernumeraries are the Iteys." H. Beck, J.; Newman Buttle,, and Thomas Fee. . • ' '