PLEASING SCENES AMONG THE NATIVES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 September 1855, Page 20

PLEASING SCENES AMONG THE NATIVES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Extract of a letter from the Rev. James Bullerlate Missionary at Kaipara. Ox my way hither (Auckland), I spent several days at Okaro, the little settlement rendered famous by its hospitable entertainment of the officers and crew of the French corvette "Alcmene," which was wrecked on the coast nearly two years ago Here we now held our seventh annual Missionary Meeting. I was accompanied to the place by about two hundred natives in canoes and boats, making altogether, with the people waiting to receive us, about five hundred persons • more than twenty of whom were mounted on horses. Just one third of the above number are accredited church members, who partook together of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper afto r the public service on the Sabbath evening, lhese seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion ; others were drawn hither more for the

sake of self-gratification than from any worthier motive; but our religious services were well attended, and with apparent devotion. NATIVE MISSIONARY MEETING. We held our Missionary Meeting (and other services also when weather permitted) in the open air, the chapel not being large enough to contain all present. Twelve native Teachers addressed the meeting in brief but appropriate speeches, and afterwards I invited Parore, Paikea, and Tirarau—the three principal Chiefs —to say a few words. The two former spoke to the point; but the latter, unhappily, as well as untimely, introduced the vexed question of a disputed land-boundary. The collection, includiug several donations of £1 and £2 each, amounted to the very respectable sum of £47 18s. 2d., which I have the pleasure of handing over to our Financial Secretary. It was very gratifying to witness their extremely comfortable appearance. Very many were provided with good and capacious tents, and all of them were remarkably well dressed in European costume. Their diet is improved by the addition of rice, tea, and sugar, to their own produce of pork, fish, potatoes, &c. This is the result of a brisk trade now being carried on in the river, in timber and other produce, by Messrs. Walton and Atkins; who, having introduced the system of cash payments instead of mere barter, the people derive greater advantages from it, and hence also the increased amount of the collection. When we consider the proverbially selfish character of the New-Zealander, it is most pleasing to see them readily contribute towards the spread of the Gospel, by which they acknowledge they have been so greatly blessed. On the Monday following, Tirarau, in opposition to the prevailing wishes of the people, managed to obtain a discussion on land, the boundaries of which are a subject of dispute. This, as was foreseen, could not be settled to the satisfaction of either party. Therefore Taurau,Tirarau's brother, proposed and urged that the Missionary Meetings should be discontinued. On this I appealed to the peo- j pie—were they prepared to accede to such a proposition ? Their reply left me no cause to regret that an opportunity had thus been afforded me of testing their determination. With a hearty voice they exclaimed "No, never! When we give up our Missionary collections, we shall have renounced Christianity." Then and there it was agreed by acclamation to hold our next annual Meeting, God willing, on Mount Wesley, where it was held last year. We are very anxiously looking out for the arrival of the expected Deputation. May the gracious Lord bring them in safety, and render them, as we have reason to believe they will prove, the means of a very great blessing to these important Missions.