OPANAKE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 195, 28 April 1893, Page 3

OPANAKE.

(From our own Correspondent). ; " OPENING OF NEW CHURCH. The new R. C. Church (native) was duly opened and blessed by Bishop Luck on Sunday, (kpril 9th. The cerem ny which was to have been performed last month was postponed, partly on account of the fresh having- destroyed a large quantity of the kuineras etc , required for the feast, and partly on account of other circumstances. A special train was run from Kaihu and by it arrived a very large number of visitors including the Bishop. Soon after arriving the Bishop proceeded with the ceremony of blessing the building ; walking around and sprinkling it with holy water. This ceremony being concluded the Bishop, attended by the district priest, proceeded inside the church which was quickly filled, one half of the congregation being European and one half native. The Bishop and priest then took up their places within the communion rail and in the front of the altar ; and the former delivered a simple yet excellent address, clearly pointing out to his people thenduty to God and the church, and exhorting them to he steadfast in their faith. The whole of the address, which was delivered in English, was interpreted by the priest for the benefit of the maori portion of the congregation. At the close a collection was made resulting in about £26 being received. On the congregation dispersing arrangements were made for starting the feast, and here our native friends gave us a true idea of their hospitality. Every provision possible had been made for the convenience of their guests ; the natives being- provided for in the new hall while the Europeans were attended to in a large building specially erected for the purpose. Bountiful supp Mes of food were on hand, while native waiters neatly and cleanly attired, assiduously attended to the wants of the visitors. A description of the erection has already appeared in the columns of the Waikoa Bell. The interior has a very neat and pretty appearance ; it is lined throughout with T and G, lining ; the ceiliDg is lofty, thus giving plenty of spare room for ventilation. The altar is of kauri on the centre panel at the back appears an image of the Saviour on the cross and over it are the words, “ Hena, Hona, Hona,” (Holy, Holy, Holy) On the front of the altar are scriptural texts in maori ; the worked letters are red on a white ground. The communion rail which is of kauri is beautifully worked with maori carving inlaid with pawa shell, and is quite a change fx-om the communion rails usually seen in European churches. The other altar decorations were very nicely arranged, the whole having a pleasing effect to the eyes. Forms, which are both light and neat, have been provided for the accom modation of about 160 worshippers. The building is lighted by two large windows on either side and two smaller odgs in front, one on each side of the tower. The whole of the labour with the exception of the painting was performed by the natives, and the result is a building which is a credit to the workmen and to all others who assisted in its erection, [Ed. This has been much delayed iu transmission ; it was written a fortnight ago. ]