MORMONISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2205, 1 June 1908, Page 2

MORMONISM.

A MISSION AT yASTINGSg

INTERVIEW WITH ME. HARDY.

(Press Association.) NAPIER, May 31. Mr. Rufus Hardy, head .of the Morman mission in New Zealand, gave the “Daily Telegraph” reporter some details of his church’s work at tlie Bridge Pa, hear Hastings, where it is intended to establish an institu-

In tho course of the interview, Mr. Hardy said: “Within the past four months we will have purchased 130 acres of good land at the Bridge Pa, and we have tho option over another 130 acres. On this ground wo intend establishing a sort of college to impart a little higher education to .voung Maori men than tliov receivo at ordinary schools, and at the same time train them manually in such inuustrics as they show a preference for and as are 'Afforded by the Dominion. \\ lien otir buildings are erected, wo will he able to accommodate a hundred students, and a capable staff of teachers will instruct them in, amongst other tilings, scientific farming, stock raising, carpentry, black-smith-ing, engineering, draughtsmanship, etc. The idea is to place in the hands of the young Maori a trade or profession enabling him to become auseful, independent, and self-sup-porting ,citizen. Operations have been already commenced. Crops will be put in, and plans of the buildings have been prepared. AVo will take anyone, irrespective of creed, who will conform to the rules of tho establishment. Tho onlv qualificationsnecessary are a desire for learning freedom from the use of alcohol and tobacco, and absence of moral taint, but the main tiling is that pup-, ik must opt use alcohol or tobacco ' and all this is to be . done ' free < : charge. Money for land and buil mgs or equipment has not coinefr* natives nor from anyone in load. Aeal ind, hut has been given by '* cunreh as a whole and sent hero -gained. Sa t Lake City. Part of the 1 will come from America, hut sonic of necessity be practical up-tr r\ew Zealanders, with a■" knowledge of local condith also anticipated that a W machinery for eqnipiiuu 'ions departments will' ly American manufacture.y,, to experiment with thei’f B j stock., and if tho land *“■ * we will probabaly go iL-* • pa tnre. •