AFTER SIXTY YEARS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 34, 10 February 1913, Page 7

AFTER SIXTY YEARS

— I, » WORK AMON6 THE MAORIS REV. W. GITTOS'S WORK. The Rev. W. Gittos, superintendent of the Maori Mission in Auckland, made application to the Methodist Conference to-day for permission to become a supernumerary. He had been for sixty years engaged ih Church work among the Maoris, and had been very happy, but he felt now that, with the changes being made, new light Was 'required ih the work. He had been enabled to learn much of the Maori rites, ancient learning and the poorer of the tohungas, and had gained influence among the Mao-ris thetetoy. It had been his privilege going on for sixty years to endeavour to show the Maoris that there was a knowledge which Was mtore valuable than theirs. But now he felt that more energy was required than he possessed, and thatj in fairness to the Church, he should allow a younger man to take up the work. i , The 1 secretary (the Rev. C. H. Laws) moved that the conference accede with great regret to Mr. Gittos's request. Mr. Laws said that he' was fctire that they would never be able to estimate the value of Mr. Gittos's Work as superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission. As the years went on they would see more and mote how great that work was. Mr. ' Gittos had been more than superintenj dent of the Maori mission. By maiiy of the younger men of the Church he had [ been regarded as a father. t The Rev. G. Bond (Auckland) seconded i the motion with regret ; he had known | "Father" Gittos for forty" years, he said, and even when he first knew him lie regarded him as a senior minister. He recalled " Father " GittoVs jubilee in Auckland, and the enthusiasm it aroused. "Father" Gittos's influence had been felt not onhr in Maori Methodist work, but in the politics of the country. His advice had been sought I by Governments regarding Native matters. They trusted he WOuld have A long, quiet, and peaceful eventide. i Dr. Morley said this announcement came -upo-ii .him with Something of a shock, for "father" Gittos had wished to continue in work right to the end. For I some time thirty years ago "Father" | Gittos's work had been carried on under gfdat disabilitiesj but his health latelY i had been better. The speaker, however, could understand his reasons for now [ wishing to be allowed to retire. The Rev. J. A. Luxford said he did not think there had been a (single Government that had not found it advisable to seek the assistance of "Father" [ Gittos in Native matters. "Father" Gittos had been a missionary who had more than once saved bloodshed. The Rev.. P. W. Faii-clough suggested tjiat Mr. Gittos be asked* to make some record of his very varied experiences. The Rev T. N. Griffin said that Mr. Gittos had many times been offered large tracts 1 of laud for his personal use, but had refused to enrich himself, Other tributes were paid by Messrs. Veale, Traunsoli, L. M. Isitt, Mrs. Fin* fold, Revs. Simmonds, T. A. Joughen, and Abernethy. The Hon. C. M. Luke spofte especially of the regard in Which Mr. Gittos had been held by the Primitive Methodist Churcheß. The secretary's motion was agreed to, conference standing. The president (Rev. S. Lawry), in conveying the resolution to Mr. Gittos, said he was reminded of the text "Let not him that puttetb on the armour boast as he that 'putteth it off, " Mr. Gittos was putting ' off the armour to ah extent now, and, would to God that when others came to retire thej should I have a record such as his. | J On the motion of Mr. P. W. Fairclough, "Father" Gittos was urged to pre- | pare .some recol'd of his experience's.