Reminiscences of New Zealand.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 78, 29 September 1893, Page 2

Reminiscences of New Zealand.

i « _ f The Rev. W. J. Watkin delivered a most interesting and instructive lecture ' in the Wesleyan Church last evening, the subject being, " his early remininiscences ot New Zealand." The reverend gentle- ' man opened his address with the arrival r of the ship Minerva at the Bay of Islands in September 1837, when his father and family of four, came to settle in • New Zealand. It was not until 1840 that i colonization really set in. He next l touched apon the great financial crash of ' 1842, and went on to recount his experiences amongst the whalers. He then explained to his hearers the manner in which the acquiring of tbe Maori language was mastered, interspersing his discourse from time to time with quotations from the native tongue. His descriptions of many Maoris with whom he had been ; from time to time acquainted were moat graphic. A passing tribute was paid to Bishop Selwyn who was alluded to as "the greatest man New Zealand had ever seen," though he was by no means a perfect man, owing to his narrow minded- ; ness on the question of religion, still for all this he was " a grand man." Dr. Hocken, the antiquarian of this country, was awarded a strong meed of praise for his able researches. The war of 1860 which was to have been settled in less than six months, lasted for over ten years before the question was finally settled, the supremacy of the white man assured, and it was to be hoped that the last of the troubles with tbe natives had been heard of, Te Kooti being dead and gone, and the great prophet Te Whiti, a prisoner for debt. The speaker next paid a warm tribute to the many earnest missionaries who had laboured so zealously amongst the Maori race, rendered the 100 th Psalm in the native tongue, and concluded a really splendid address by thanking his hearers for tho attention they had given him in his endeavours to amuse and instruct them. The lecturer was awarded a hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion of his address. A pleasing ceremony then took place, when the Rev W. J. Watkin, on behalf of the choir presented Miss Bellve with a set of carvers enclosed m a handsome case, as a slight token of the respect in which she was held by fchem, and wished the recipient on behalf of the choir and congregation every happiness in her ap. proaching wedded life. Mr Carthew responded for Miss Bellve in a happy and felicitous strain, and the proceedings concluded with the singing of the doxology.