THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1908, Page 12

THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

MEMOIRS OF THE EARLY DAYS

TARANAKI

(Continued.)

Another journey on foot along the seashore, occupying two days, brought the missionary party to Whakatane, At another place visited some three thousand Natives had collected from the East Cape, from near Rotorua, Kupenga, Taupo, and Waretakuna, at the instance of a number of converted chiefs. In the presence of each tribe, at least, one Mass was celebrated. Rejoining the schooner, a return was made to Tauranga, and from thence a course was shaped for Hauraki. After a sail of a day and a-half anchor was dropped in the Bay of Coromandel. Fr nn here a visit to Native tribes in the interior was made, necessary instructions given, and books and religious objects distributed. At the beginning of May, 1840, the Bishop returned to the Bay of Islands, and shortly afterwards the promise of a priest to the Maoris of Tauranga was fulfilled. Father Viard, accompanied by the Native neophyte, Romano; was sent them, and the mission in that place .had prompt success. Land was given by the Natives for the residence of their missionary and as sites for the churches. A Forward Movement. In June, 1841, a long and anxiously expected contingent of missionaries arrived, and proved a welcome reinforcement to the sorely tried, but brave, chief pastor. . These included Fathers

i See ' Socialism,' by J, Ramsay Macdonald; T. and E. Jack.

Scon, Garin, Borgeon, Rozet, M-. Rouleaux, and six . Catechist" Brothers. Several of these names " loomed large in subsequent missionary enterprise, and appear in many notable connections during the course of these memoirs. So great was the desire of the Maoris for the services of the missionaries that on hearing of their expected arrival delegate chiefs from places on the east coast previously mentioned journeyed to the Bay of Islands, awaited the coming of the priests, offered to personally conduct them to their respective tribes, and instruct them in the language. So persistent were they in their- endeavors that their demands could not be resisted. Hence, as it will be seen, the Maria ' was again put into commission, and the Bishop undertook another tour of the same settlements, taking with him five of the Fathers and several Brothers, whom he located where most needed. Stopping en route at the Bay of Coromandel, two white families of Catholics were discovered. Mass was celebrated in the house of one of these, and the Sacraments administered. The arrival at Tauranga was the occasion cf exceeding joy to the inhabitants. This mission- station had far several months been confided to Father Pesant, in place of Father Viard, the first priest, who had been rocalled to undertake higher duties. Father Scon was deputed to Matamata, under the direction of Father Baty, previously appointed. The mission station there was established under the patronage of the Holy Angels. Maketu was next visited, and here was found, already built in anticipation of a pastor, a church erected in Maori fashion of the usual material and a house in similar style for the expected priest. Placing the mission under the patronage of St. Joachim and St. Anne, Father Borgeon (who subsequently met his death by drowning) and Brother Justin were left in charge. Journeying inland to Rotorua, accompanied by Father Viard, most encouraging results of previous Catholic religious instruction were evident among the tribes, which greatly cheered the good Bishop. Remaining several days there, Mass was celebrated and the Sacraments administered. The Maoris were also apprised of the fact that Father Borgeon would often visit them and those of the intervening districts. Whakatane and Opotiki next claimed attention, and at the latter place Father Rozet, with a white servant, was left in charge. From thence to the peninsula of Terekako, a voyage lasting three days, was safely accomplished. Here also was found a residence erected for the expected priest, and Father Baty was left among the inhabitants for some days. Terekako had been previously visited by the Bishop, who on one of his homeward" voyages from the south, accompanied by Fathor Pesant, called there at the earnest entreaty of the chief. Mass was then celebrated before the whare of this chief, who also asked that a piece of land for a projected church and residence should then and there be selected. With the religious instruction then given, and evidently fully profited by, the advent of the regular missionary found the people comparatively well prepared.

(To be continued.)