Hamua

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 13, 1 April 1909, Page 495

Hamua

(From an occasional correspondent.) Sunday, March 14, was a red-letter day in Hamua. In the heart of what was once known as ' The Forty-mile Bush,' at the junction of the Pahiatua, Alfredton, and Eketahuna * roads, close to a smair but picturesque township, and sheltered by the last spur' of the Hamua Hills, a quaint and pretty church, had been erected and even opened some time ago to meet the" requirements of both races in this fast-growing district.- Both races vied with each other in contributing to the building fund, the site itself being donated by the influential Catholic phief, Nireaha. Rev. Father Delach, S.M., put' his abilities at the disposal of the tangata whenua to organise the reception of the visitors, and every tribe on our Western Coast sent a few deputies to do justice to Nireaha' s invitation. On Friday, March 12, nearly 100 Catholic Maoris arrived by . train, led by Rev. Father Cognet, S.M., of Otaki. These were met at the Hukanui station by a special coach, and conveyed to the pa in batches of twenty. As usual on such occasions, speech-making was indulged in for several hours, our esteemed friend, Mr. J. R. McDonald, of Levin, helping us considerably. On the following day his Grace the Archbishop and Very Rev. Dean Regnault (Provincial), accompanied by Rev. Father T. McKenna, of Pahiatua, arrived by motor-car at the foot of the hill, and -were treated to a grand reception. Shortly after the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay tribes appeared on the field, and thus we could count about 200 Catholic Maoris, with only a sprinkling of outsiders. In his reply to the chief Nireaha' s address of welcome, his Grace referred to the fruitful meetings' held in Otaki during past years, and expressed the hope that this Hamua meeting, convened for the purpose of celebrating the inauguration of their pretty church, would also mark the beginning of a new era in the history of their happiness. , To accommodate their visitors the Hamua tribe had erected two long wooden buildings, where a liberal supply of food was provided. A large meeting-house was used as a dormitory, and special accommodation was provided for the clergy in Nireaha's cottages. The whole t of the afternoon of Saturday, March 13, was spent hearing confessions. At night prayers were said in public --according to the Maori style, the singing of hymns, etc., proving very edifying and highly successful. Rev. Father Cognet gave an impressive address on the Sacraments. Very early in the morning many went to confession, and Masses were celebrated by Rev. Father Delach, .his Grace the Archbishop, Rev. Father Cognet, and Very Rev. Dean Regnault. Many of the Europeans, who happened to be present at the first Mass, expressed their surprise at the number of Maori communicants. At the end of the last Mass his Grace delivered an instruction on the primacy and infallibility of St. Peter. He also announced that a very important meeting of young men and catechists would be held in Otaki under the protection of St. Peter between June 5 and 13. A most elaborate banquet followed. It was presided Wer by his Grace the Archbishop, each member of the visiting clergy being seated at the head of a table. Quite a number of Europeans were present, and partook of the Maoris' hospitality. To many of them it must have been a revelation to witness the tact and ability | of the Natives ori sucli an occasion. It is no easy task to arrange a banquet for 300 visitors in a Maori settlement, far away from all the conveniences and luxuries of important centres, but Chief Nireaha and his intelligent tribe proved quite equal to the task. With perfect order a andwithout the slightest trouble, everything was done to sat-

isfy the requirements of the day. No doubt, to a great extent, Father Delach's aid was invaluable, and helped to secure the success of the function. In the afternoon the church was again filled to witness the reception of three more girls into the sodality of the Children of Mary, thus bringing to thirty-two -of t^e Maori members of this association. # Very Rev.' Dean Regnault, S.M., presided, and delivered an impressive sermon on the Immaculate Conception, dwelling -at some length on the miracles of Lourdes, and impressing upon the Native girls their duty of taking the Blessed Virgin as their model. This beautiful instruction, and also, that of the Archbishop after tie' last. Mass, were interpreted in Maori by. Rev. Father Cognet. Some Baptisms"' also took place on the -same afternoon, so that nearly the whole day was spent in the church. Night prayers, Catechism, and Rosary took another "half hour in the evening, and thus we came to the end of out programme. Our' 'friendly Natives -then bade us farewell in the most' "affectionate style, offering some valuable pre-sents-to our most distinguished "guests, and wishing them every joy and consolation. After a few hours of wellearned rest, we left Hamua in the morning, taking away with us very hopeful' and consoling impressions as to the future of our holy religion in the district. In fact, the dispositions of our Natives are so favorable that if our resources were at all in proportion to our needs, much improvement could now be effected imrthe mission. May those who have at heart the glory of God and the honor of the Dominion realise their duty of charity towards their too long neglected Maori neighbors.