MAORI MISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 165, 16 July 1903, Page 4

MAORI MISSION.

CROWDED AND ENTHUSIASJIO MEETING. Ths interest taken in the Maori Mission work, and the popularity of the Rev F, A, Bennett was evinced in a marked manner on Wednesday even ing by tbe crowded and enthusiastic meeting in St, Mary's Hall. Thech»ir was taken by Archdeacon Cole, wh", after a hymn and prayer, outlined tbe business of the meeting. Apologies were made for the unavoidable absence of his Worship the Mayor, Mrs Copland, Messrs ( W. Govett, E. Dockrill, Percy Smitn and several others, who all expressed sympathy with Mr Bennett's work. The Rev. F. A. Bennett, who received a very warm aud hearty reception, then gave a most eloquent and interesting address, in the course of which he reviewed the work of tbe past year, its discouragements and successes, expressing the opinion that in spite of many drawbacks, a reil advance had been made, and in many cases the foundation for future work had been laid. Mr Bennett expressed his gratitude for the assistance and encouragement he bad received frcm those who had come to his assistance in various ways during tbe past, and spoke of the great encouragement their sympathy had been to him, especially as so much of it bad bean of a practical character. Mr Bennett, who received a most attentive and sympathetic hearing, bsiDg repeatedly applauded, received quite a < demonstration on resuming his seat.

The election of the committee of management was then proceeded wi.b. Mr Skinner moved, and Mr Shaw seconded, and it was carried, t.hat the Committee of Management consist of the Ven Archdeacon Oole, Rev. F. A. Bennett-, Messrs W. H. Skinner, S. P. Smith, T. W. Fisher, and the clergy of the Archdeaconry of Taranaki, and that the executive consist of the first five. Mr H. Dempsay then moved, and ib I was seconded by Mr Stanley Smith and carried with applause, that this msefcing of subscribers and sympathisers of the Taranaki Maori Mission desire to place on record their great appreciation of the work done by the Yen Archdeacon Williams in establishing this mission, and of thankfulness for his continued interest and generous support in the work of uplifting the Maoris of the Taranaki district. Bath the mover and the seoonder 6pjke warmly in admiration of Archdeacon Willi >m3 in speaking to the motion. Mr J. B. Roy, in a very appreciative and forcible speech, spoke of the good work done by the Rev. F. A. Bennett, and the admiration felt for him and sympathetic interest in his work by the whole community, and moved, that the appreciation of thoss present be given to the Rw. F. A. Bsnnett for his continued and well directed efforts in the advancement of the native race in the matter of education and their general spiritual and moral development; and further, that we express our confidence in bis methods of wo; k and organisation" in dealing with tbe native people, and pledge ourselves to assist the miesion in every possible way, so that the earnest efforts now being made for the betterment of the Maori race may be caaried to a' successful issue. Mr J. C. George seconds i the motion, and epoke at some length in support, and urging the strong claim tho mission had on every one. He endorsed Mr Roy's remarks regarding the admiration thay all felt for the self-denying and able efforts of the Rev. F. A. Bennett. The motion was carried with applause. Mr Stmley W. Shaw, in the course of an' earnest sp:ecb, referred in eulogistic terms to tha hearty support 'ha people of the dis'ricS had given to the mission, and wbiN there was plenty of room for more assistance, the sympathy and practical support already given was very gratifying, and he moved that the thanks of this mestiiig be tendered to those who assisted in the organisation acd carrying out of tha " Garden Party " he!d at Bell Block in Jicuary hst, for the purpose of raising funds to build a mis-don house for the Rev. Ropere and wife on the Waibi Block, Waitara, and also to the girls of the New Plymouth High School end their friends for the handsome donation given towards the same object; also to the Maoris of Omahu, Hawke's Bay for their donatioa of £lO for the same objec v . The motion was seconded by the Rev. F. G. Evans, who endorsed Mr. Shaw's remarks. Several o'hers present during the evening eulogised Mr. Bennett for his work, and wished him every success in the future. The meeting closad with the Benediction.