An Old-Time Church.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7846, 12 June 1905, Page 4

An Old-Time Church.

Visiters to Otaki in connection with the sitting, of the Native Trust 'Commission had an opportunity of inspecting the church which was (built entirely by Maoris something like fifty years ago, and also of viewing |lho monument creeled to the memory | ( of Te Rauparah.i'— the marble statue, which, it is said, sadly lmsivpresents. the features of that redoubtable lighting .chief—and, lastly, his grave. I The chuich—many times described—is junlque. Its exterior differs little in 'appearance from the style of archi-; 'tecture which has been generally 'adopted in the construction of Anglican churches in outlying districts | in New Zealand and Australia. There is the same pointed Elizabethan roof, and similar windows, with tha same diamond-shaped panes. The interior is 'ijuite a departure. The lofty roof-tree is supported by three huge tolura •columns, which at infinite labour wore transported'. from fardfstant forests by the willing labour of hundreds of natives at the instance of their chiefs, who had then adopted Christianity. The walls from ■ the floor right to the high-rcacning I angles of the roof are lined and ornalinented with beautifully oven suppleI jack canes, bound together with white stained strips of vines, crossed and I re-crosscd in true native fashion, (but I Carrying! nothing of barbarism in the design. The main panels of the walls are composed of planks of hand-wrought totara, possibly 30ft long by 3ft wide, and a'bout liin tliick;. The furniture of the building now includes an Amcrban orjjt.n--probably a recent addition. The pew which cover a considerable tirea of the floor-space, are well made of clear kauri pine. Indeed, the building speaks eloquently of the fact that when it was erected the Maoris had at heart the objects for -which, it was intended. The huge white pole ~ standing across the way from the church near the statue of To Rauparaha conveys little to the mind ofthe European, It bears a number of dates, beginning at the bottom with 1850 and running upwards to, late I years, but their Significance seams. to have Ween forgotten. The grave of Te Rauparaha is in a very neglected condition. It is with difficulty that it can be found, although -there is a, slato headstone. His last restingplace appears to have been forgotten,, attthough, his name is still held in veneration, not unmixed with awe, by the natives of the district.