FORMER TAUPO PADRE IN KOREA

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 20 August 1954, Page 4

FORMER TAUPO PADRE IN KOREA

RECENT LETTER FROM REV. R. H. RANGIIHU A recent letter from the Rev. R. H. Rangiihu, C.F., Vicar of St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, and formerly stationed at Nukuhau, Taupo, gives news of the building of the Church of St. Barbara of the Imjin, on the summit of Kiwi Hill, in Korea, where Mr Rangiihu is serving as chaplain to K-Force. Two Maori lads, says Mr Rangiihu, Sergeant K. Parsons and Gunner L. Blake, the latter a Taupo boy, assisted by four Koreans, erected the building in about a month. It was dedicated by the DeputyAssistant Chaplain General, the Rev. H. Norman, and among those in the crowded congregation were the G.O.C., General Murray and the N.Z. K-Force Commander, Brigadier J. T. Burrows. The service was conducted by Mr Rangiihu, and the Maori lads contributed by singing in an original Maori rendering, the hymn "Tama ngakau marie," (Jesus,meek and gentle). Describing the work of the "Save The Children Fund," in Pusan, Mr Rangiihu says that if New Zealand contributors, through ^ CORSO, could see the results of the SCF work in Pusan they would give to the utmost. On leave in Japan recently Mr Rangiihu saw the Royal Tour film, and at the showing, with about a dozen warriors, performed hakas and other posture dances for the edification of other Commonwealth members. Needless to say, he states, he took great delight in having a quiet dig at the English journalists who made such scathing remarks about hakas at the Waitangi reception. Mr Rangiihu expects to return to New Zealand in November, on completion of his 18 months service in Korea.