St. BONIFACE CHURCH, MAROTIRI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2185, 5 October 1920, Page 3

St. BONIFACE CHURCH, MAROTIRI.

After a lapse of about three and a-half years, services were recommenced on Sunday last in St. Boniface Church, Marotiri. The service, which commenced at 2.30 p.m., was conducted by the Rev. W. H. Walton, and was, in spite of inclement weather, well attended. The Rev. Walton, before commencing his sermon, expressed his gratification at the event, and thanked the people of Marotiri for their splendid work in preparing the church for the service. He staled his determination

now that the services were re-starl-cd, of carrying them on consistently. Bad weather would not keep him away, lie would he found there unless it was absolutely impossible to get there, every second Sunday from now on, at 2 o’clock, the tune chosen by the people of Marotiri as most convenient to themselves. He was determined to carry out his share in making' (he services a success, and it only required them, on their part, to lake an interest in the church and to attend regularly, to ensure that success. - The church is an historical one, having been erected by Maoris very many years ago. In the late Bishop Hadlield’s time he frequently addressed. congregations of 200 Maoris, and it may be mentioned as illustrating (he changes which take place in a district, at the present lime there are only two Maori families in the neighbourhood. The building is a commodious one. capable of seating 250 people, and is erected on a superb site overlooking the Manawatn River.