THE BISHOP OF AOTEROA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3935, 27 April 1929, Page 3

THE BISHOP OF AOTEROA.

VISIT TO FOXTON. Bishop Bennett, with a desire to make himself more generally known and with a view to improving the standard of Natives, and putting mission work on abetter (basis, visited Foxton on Tuesday and Wednesday. For some weeks past the Maoris had looked (forward with pleasurable anticipation to the visit of the first “Pihopa” of their own race and had made arrangements for a hospitable welcome. The Bishop "was accompanied by the Rev. A. 0. Williams and the Rev. Tmu era Tokoaitua. The party arrived on Tuesday from Otaki where very successful meetings and religious services had been held.

In conversation with our representative the Rev. Williams said that the Bishop had spent a very strenuous time since assuming his high offilce and had travelled extensively in order to come into close touch with his own people. He added that as a result there would be a revival in the spiritual life of the Natives. At a later period Bishop Bennett, would again visit each locality and prolong his stay. Our representative received a very cordial invitation frolnl the Natives to attend the meetings at Matakarapa and was present at a religious service which filled the little church to overflowing. The singing of the hymns in which the Bishop heartily joined, was a special feature of the service which was conducted in Maori and was followed by the celebration of Holy Communion.

Several services were conducted with much success. The Bishop stated his tour was with the object of finding out difficulties existing in various places, but regretted there were not enough men to fill vacant positions. He ap - pealed for help to carry on the good work and hoped at no distant date to have sufficient workers. He considered that the future had a great deal of hope. He trusted that good feeling between Maori and Pakehas would always continue, and that the two races would be brought more into touch with each other. He hoped no one would think that the Maoris wished to break away from the Pakeha Church. What he desired was to see all work together, and he hoped the Europeans would do their best to help the Maoris. Bishop Bennett touched briefly on the drink traffic and gambling, and said they were a terrible drawback to the Natives. They realised the havoc that had been caused by these evils, but, fortunately, the Maoris were realising that they must be careful, and he was pleased to state that at gatherings of Natives there had not been noticed one Maori under the influence of drink. This alone should cause the Europeans to take an interest in the Natives who were endeavouring day by day to reach a higher standard of life. On Wednesday afternoon Bishop Bennett was entertained at a luncheon in the Town Hall supperroom by AH Saints’ vestry at which a number of local townspeople were also present. 'Services were subsequently continued at Matakarapa and proposals discussed for reviving church work among the local and district Natives. 'Those responsible for the arrangements and entertaining of the Bishop were Mrs. Apuba and Mr. McGregor. The Bishop accompanied by the Rev. Wiliams proceeded to Wanganui on Thursday.