MISSION CENTENARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 796, 17 October 1929, Page 7

MISSION CENTENARY

ESTABLISHED BY MARSDEN AT WAIMATE NORTH ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR One hundred years ago next year the Rev. Samuel Marsden established the tirst inland mission in New Zealand. Arrangements are being made to mark the occasion by fitting celebrations, and reference to the proposed ceremonies was made by Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins at the sitting of the : Auckland Diocesan Synod on Tuesday ! evening. He said that for some time after Marsden preached on the sands of Oihi, missionary work in New Zealand i was centered on the waterfront of the Bay of Islands, and it was not until September,lß3o, that the first move was made inland. Owing to the forthcoming departure of the Archbishop to attend the Lambeth Conference next year the centenary celebrations cannot be held in September, but they have been fixed for January 12. “Marsden’s work at Waimate North marked the introduction of civilisation into New Zealand,” said the speaker. “It resulted in the building of the first public road, running eight miles from Keri Keri. a portion of which is still in use, and it caused the building of the first bridge for traffic in New Zea- ; land."

It was hoped that two or thrfee members of the Cabinet would bo present at the celebrations. Holy Communion would be celebrated at an open-air service on the Sunday, and on the following day the actual unveiling of the memorial would be held. The memorial would take the shape of a Licli gate at the Waimate North Church. Many visitors were expected, both pakeha and Maori, and the Maoris of the district were making full preparations for the event. They expected the whole of the Dominion to co-operate in providing a fitting memorial to the work of Marsden and the early missionaries. Reference to the importance of the occasion was also made by the Rev. W. E. Connolly, vicar of Waimate North, the Rev. W. N. Panapa and the Rev. W. E. Lush.