ROTORUA NEWS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1982, 21 March 1885, Page 3

ROTORUA NEWS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

The Maori church at Ohinemutu was formally opened lut Sunday, by the BS > of Wa.anu, assisted by the Revs. S. WilUims, Napier; W. Goodyear, Maketu ; S. M. Spencer, Maketu ; and Ihaia te Ahu ; native clergyman, Ohinprnutu. The church is a neat Tmildmtr, fortyfeet m length including the church chancel, which is 14 feet wide, the mam building being 20 feet. At the northern corner, facing the township is a square tower, m wh.ch i» the vestry. The church is situ atcd on the shore of the lake, at the extremity of the native village. The service on Sunday afternoon **» well attended by natives, and » number of European visitors were also present. An interesting feature was the baptism o the chief T* Kin, and hw wife. Io Kin w a hne looking old man, oyer six feet m height, and was gorgrounly attired in .v mat, worn over European dress, handsomely embroided with part, coloured wooK This was nearly covered by another nupeib mat decked with peacock s fcithi-n. In tho evening the b!«h«p held divine service at Lake House, where the largo dining room was crowded, and an offortoiy of close on Co was taken up for tho Maori

church. , 1 1 • Last Saturday quite a gale was blowing accompanied by win ; Hcver.il trees fruit, and ornamont.il were broken or blown down, and other dam.tgc done.