MISSION CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 133, 2 December 1929, Page 13

MISSION CENTENARY

CELEBRATION AT TAUEANGA

(Ry Telegraph.—Press Association.)

TAUBANGA, This Day. Imday last marked the centenary of the arrival in New Zealand at the Bay of Islands of Alfred Sresbifc Brown a young Church of England missionary, with his wife. He remained there a few years, and then founded a mission station at Matamata in 1835, but that had to be abandoned owing to native unrest. He then came to Tauranga m January, 1838, to take charge of the. mission station already founded by himself i:: the previous year. From then till t.ie time of his death in 1884 ho remained here, passing through many troublous times. Particularly eventful years culminated in the battle of Gate Pa on 29th April, 1864, and J-o Kanga six weeks later. He was created first archdeacon of Tauranga in 1&44. .

The centenary w.as marked yesterday by a memorial service held here at the iilms, now the home of Misses Maxwell, on the site of the old mission chapel. The old mission bell was rung again for the first time in many years. The service was conducted by Archdeacon Chatterton, of Eotorua, assisted by the Eev. Mr. Hall, vicar of Tauranga, and the Eev. Mr. Tumatahi, the Eev Mr Wikiriwha, and the Eev. Mr. Tikao. There was a large number present, including several old residents who attended the mission chapel before any other church existed here. A boisterous wind and sea prevented tho attendance of the Maori choir from across tho harbour, but a number of Maoris were present. Thoy were addressed by the Eev. Mr. Tikao. The bell was tolled by ivir. 0. o. Tunks, an old Tauranga boy, now a rcsidont of Auckland, and the ivlaori chief Eeohau Piahana. A brief and inspiring address was given by Arelideaeon Chattertcn.