Marsden’s Work

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 16

Marsden’s Work

MEMORIAL PLANNED AT TE WAIMATE MISSIONARY’S GREAT CAREER This year, nearly a century after the death of the Rev. Samuel Marsden, residents of Te Waimate have been working to commemorate the founding of the centre as a mission station. It has been resolved to erect a lych-gate as a memorial to Samuel Marsden and his faithful co-workers. An appeal has been launched for this purpose and residents throughout tKe surrounding districts as well as all admirers of tlie great pioneer missionary are invited to assist. Prior to 1809 a trade in timber and flax had opened in New Zealand, but it soon became a “system of fraud and violence, where the treachery* cruelty and bad faith of the Europeans roused the indignation of the savage to acts of fiercest revenge.” For three consecutive years ships crews and passengers were cut off, this culminating in the massacre of the Boyd, in 1809. NATIVES PROTECTED As a consequence shipping was warned to be more vigilant, and not to visit the coast. But there was one person, by whose influence and representations a proclamation was issued in 1813, making the owners of ships liable lor £I,OOO and the person committing the act of violence liable to be “further punished with the utmost rigour of the law.” 3le was the Rev. Samuel Marsden. Through his long years of service as chaplain to the convict station at Sydney he had become known as “the greatest blessing the Southern Hemisphere lias ever known.” In 1808 Air. Marsden visited England, and on returning brought with him two young men, Messrs. King and Hall, for the mission field in New Zealand. However, on account of the dread caused through the massacre of the Boyd’s crew and passengers, he had to wait over three years before he could obtain permission to proceed. Even then no captain could be found who world risk his ship and crew on such a hazardous expedition. Sooner than abandon this great work, Mr. Marsden at his own expense, purchased the brig Active for £1,400, to do which he sold £9OO worth of sheep and raised the remainder, and was thus able to found the first mission station in New Zealand in 1814. Writing at this time he says: “I know I am not authorised by the society to do all I am doing. ... If it approves of any part I shall be thankful; if it fully enters into my views, I shall the more rejoice. But should it see it in a different point of view and not feel disposed to give all the pecuniary assistance it seems to need, I shall not be discouraged for doing all I can, till I can do no more.” LAST VISIT TO N.Z.

When this now venerable missionary 33 years later paid his last visit to New. Zealand overcome by infirmity of body, the natives carried him across from Hokianga to Waimate on February 22, 1837. A great part of the way lay through dense bush; everywhere he went the natives received him with open arms.

It was indeed a triumphant march, and few have been granted such a privilege of seeing the abundant fruit of their labours. He died 92 years ago.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI

“THE FOUR FEATHERS” Produced by Merian Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, who were responsible for “Chang,” probably one of the most spectacular and impressive films yet shown in Auckland, “The Four Feathers” is the principal feature at the Plaza Theatre. This evening it will also be shown at the Tivoli Theatre. The picture was adapted from the widely-read novel of A. E. W Mason and is interpreted by a well-selected cast, at the head of which appear William Powell, Richard Arlen, Fay Wray, Clive Brook and Noah Beery, all stars with a reputation. The story concerns the efforts of a coward to redeem himself. Arlen plays the part of young Lieutenant Henry Feversham, the son of a general, who, when he receives a telegram foretelling war in the Sudan, resigns his commission. Pie is the recipient of four white feathers, emblems of cowardice, three being from brother officers and one from his sweetheart. Feversham is drawn irresistibly to the seat of warfare, however, and the exciting sequences which ensue bring about his vindication in a remarkable manner. A good selection of shorter supporting films is shown in addition to the main feature. The supporting talkie items include a gazette in sound, a comedy, a talking and singing scena, “Hawaiian Nights,” and a particularly amusing sketch, with songs by Elsie Janis, the London and New York musical comedy star.

ROXY

“COHENS AND KELLYS IN ATLANTIC CITY” The big all-talking comedy, “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City,” will be shown this evening at,the Roxy Theatre. The Cohens and Kellys on past performances have proved to be one of the funniest groups in motion pictures. Originated by Carl Laemmle several years ago, they swept the country, the first Cohen and Kelly picture proving the most successful comedy of the year. The film is said to have started the popularity of Cohen-Kelly teams with producers and public. "The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City” is a story of two business partners who can’t get along with each other or without each other. • This time they are in the woollen goods business, and Craft took full advantage of this in showing bevies of blonde and brunette bathing beauties. George Sidney, Vera Gordon and Kate Price portray the same roles they did in the earlier versions. Mack Swain is the new addition as the Irishman. The four are said to suit their parts to perfection. Nora Lane, a new* Hollywood favourite, and Cornelius Keefe, provide the romance. Virginia Sale and Tom Kennedy, a capable funster-duo, are also in the cast. Several interesting short talkie features will also be shown.

TALKIES AT GRAND

“GLAD RAG DOLL” TOMORROW Tha delightfully ■armusing comedydrama, “The Glad Rag Doll,” has been chosen as the opening talkie attraction at the Grand Theatre tomorrow. The story opens on the Broadwav stage, where Dolores Costello, as “the girl,’’ is cast as a popular actress, whose alluring and captivating ways win the love of the younger son of an aristocratic family. How she is first despised by the proud family, how by stripping them of their veneer of false ultra-respectability she endears herself to them, and how she eventually marries the elder brother, form a theme of absorbing interest. The Grand's new programme will also include several shorter talkie items. CRYSTAL PALACE, MT. EDEN The popular actor, William Boyd, well-known for his sterling portrayals in difficult dramatic rolse, has the leading part in “The Flying Fool,” a thrilling production telling of the aerial and romantic adventures of a stunt aviator, ■which is the principal attraction on the fine double-feature programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. “Noisy Neighbours,” starring Eddie Quillan, is the other film, while a series of interesting shorter supports is also screened.

BRITANNIA OPENED NEW THEATRE AT THREE LAMPS A large crowd attended the opening performance at the new Britannia Theatre, Three Lamps, last evening. The new theatre is not only a delight to the eye because of its artistic decorations, but its beautiful acoustic properties enable the talkies to be presented with the utmost clarity. In every -way the new theatre is a credit to the O'Brien organisation. It is roomy, airy, the seating is most comfortable, even luxurious, there are beautiful lighting fixtures, and above all is the excellent talkie installat on. The opening attraction was “ The “Canary Murder Case,” an exciting alltalking mystery thriller from the S. S. van Bine detective story. William Powell has the role of Philo Vance, clever amateur criminologist; Louise Brooks, the New York chorus girl, who was murdered; and James Hall, Charles Lane and Jean Arthur in minor roles. A full talking supporting programme was also presented.

EMPRESS, NEWTON “Wild Orchids,” Greta Garbo's V&* picture, continues to delight aua at the Empress Theatre, Newtek? , ’Lucky in Love,” an all - talking singing production starring * Bowney. Broadway singer, is t Q ond feature.