UPLIFTING THE MAORI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 137, 1 June 1908, Page 2

UPLIFTING THE MAORI.

A PRACTICAL MORMON INSTITU-

TION.

Per Press .Association. —' Napier, Last Night.

Ruf us K. Hardy, head of the Mormon mission in Now Zealand, gavo a Daily Telograph reporter some details or his church's work at Bridge Pah, near Hastings, where it is intended to establish an institution at an expenditure of about £BOOO. In the courso of the interview, Mr. Hardy said: "Within the past four months we have purchased 130 acres of good land at Bridge Pah, and we have an option over another 130 acres. On this ground, we intend establishing a sort of college to impart a little higher education to young Maori meD than they receive at the ordinary schools, aud at the same time train them manually in such industries as they show a. preference for, and as are afforded by the Dominion. When our buildings aw erected, we will be able to accommodate a hundred students, and a capable staff of teachers will instruct them in, amongst other things, scientific fanning, stock-raising, carpentry, blacksinithing, engineering, draughtsmanship, etc., the idea being to place in the hands of young Maoris a trade or profession enabling them to become useful, independent, and self-supporting citizens. Ploughing has been commenced, crops will be put in, and plans of the buildings have been prepared. We will take anyone irrespective of creed, who will conform to the rules of the establishment. The only qualifications necessary are a desire for learning, freedom from tli6 use of alcohol and tobacco, and absence of moral taint, but the main thing is that pupils must not use alcohol or tobacco, and all this is to be done free of charge. The money for tho land, buildings, or equipment has not come from the natives, nor from anyone in New Zealand, but has been given by our church, as a . whole, and sent here from Salt Lake I City. Part of the staff will come from America, but some will, Of necessity, be practical, up-to-date Now Zealanders, with a thorough knowledge of local conditions. It is also anticipated that a great deal of machinery for equipping the various departments will be of modem American manufacture, Wje intend to experiment with the best kind of stock, and if the land provos good, we will probably go in for horticulture."