THE MORMON MISSION IN NEW ZEALAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2373, 14 August 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MORMON MISSION IN NEW ZEALAND.

Last year Elder tiorensen of the Mormon Church, made a proselytising tour through the colony. Among other places at which he stayed for some time making converts was Papawai, near Greytown. A copy ot the Utah Evening Tribunal, which has reached New Zealand, contains the following report made by Elder Sorensen to the Utah Assembly; from which it will bo seen that the enterprising elder has a high opinion of this colony as a field for Mormou missionary work':— "At the request of the Assembly, accompanied by Elder Doolan, he had visited New Zealand, Ho had found the .people of that -young colony, particularly the working classes, favourably deposed towards the doctrines on 'the one true and holy church,. Whenever the tenets of Mormonism had been revealed, the people willingly lent .their ears,: and in many places "they had mide more converts than they could provide for. Auckland he found' -was especially imbued with Eolygamist doctrines, and in their proposed immigration they would rely upon the assistance and sympathy of the people there, They hail roiguised in the teaching of their good prophet, the true salvation ; and as a proof of their conversion, some of these people were now enjoying the fruits of the new lifo in their midst. In submitting his report on the purchase of what was known as the King Country in New Zealand, he could tell them that the scheme seemed to him most feasible and favorable. When in the colony they had made every enquiry, and' there was nothing to prevent them making an immediate purchase, and commencing operations, in their new home at once, ■ Indeed, the sooner the better; for if the project were delayed it was possible that some of the noted

land sharks with which' Now Zealand was infested might in the meantime get hold of the territory, His colleague and himself had waited upon Tawbi.\o, the King of New Zealand, or that portion of it which had not been stolen from them by a "Christian Government" and he had been pleased to grant them an audience, The name of the place was quite familiar to him; it was a long word, but had slipped his memory. His Maiesty, who was a venerable and intelligent gentleman, with an imposing countenance and dignified : manner, received - them kindly, Ho seemed highly impressed and greatly moved when the truths as revealed to Joseph Smith were revealed to him, and his soul was at ones fired with ardour for tho cause. Ho claimed

affinity with the Mormons, as truths oi

a similar nature had been revealed to his ancestors shortly after their ai rival at Kapiti, Polygamy was observed among Maoris, and his Majesty, he was pleased to notice, was a striking example of that sacred law. His domestic surroundings were "of the happiest possible character, and the appointments of the royal household, though very simple, indicated a noble acd unpretentious mind. His Majesty favored the Mormon scheme of purchase, and expressed his willing-, ness to assist them in every possible way. He would, moreover, cast in his lot with them, and enlist his people in the cause of truth. The. Hole' territory, he believed, could be bought for about £500,000. About half of the sum could be paid to.the King, and the remainder could bo distributed, together with clothes and tracts, among the people. The European Government of Now Zealand, had no jurisdiction in the King Countty; The Echeme, to his mind, Afforded great promise, and he recommended that the . Assembly should give it their immediate and earnest consideration. The report which he had laid before the House would afford them the fullest information on the subject. Elder Doolan having made a few remarks, the further consideration of the matter was postponed until after the holiday ; recess,