Show CORRESPONDENCE Written for fOIl out Me Paper Per LETTER ZETTER FROM NEW ZEALAND Pigs are killed large supplies of provisions purchased meeting house decorated and Maoris and assembled in great reat numbers Come if you have to take take the iron horse Such was the urgent message received by the president ant clerk of the Austral Austral- Australasian Australasian asian asian mission mission from Elder E O 0 Best Beston Beston on their return from the South Island July In order to comply with such a forcible for for- forcible cible request the brethren immediately commenced bustling around packing valises etc and at p m boarded train at Porirua tor for Palmerston North 89 miles distant Many enquiries were made nade as to the cause of the sudden de- de departure de departure and the only answer given Was Ko te to ra nui o 0 te to H Hunga unga Tape ki hi fiona iona c t i e Its It's the great day 4 of the Saints to morrow in Zion After a ride of five hours the train pulled up at the Maori pah Te and aad ad the passengers had no sooner alighted than they were greeted with Nau Nau mai nau mai It and the the- usual demonstrative Maori welcome On entering the large Maori or meeting house the visitors received a royal reception The Maoris all arose both Saints and sinners standing in rows down each side of the room The Elders passed slowly along giving and anda receiving the precious The pressing pressing arose continued till all had been favored old men and women young amen uen nen and maidens and even babies were mot overlooked Elders Best Nielsen and Jex gave an encouraging report of the preparations evade nade for celebrating Pioneer Day in a happy crowd that had gathered together and many op were presented for explain explain- explains explaining s ang ing the object of such a holiday and II F the he Maori members took great delight WI in referring to the fulfilment ol ot prophecy n the arrival of the Latter day Saints in inh e valleys of the mountains Pioneer day July dawned with a sky although the wind was cold ol d and chilly a pleasant mid midwinter winter anter day however and very favor favor- favorable I able for the celebration Early in the I morning the Stars and Stripes were Were hoisted hoisted and many enquiring glances were wece observed as Columbia's banner floated proudly in the breeze It at- at attracted traded much attention and probably J i many anany passers-by passers won wondered ered what the Strange flag meant It was a cheering sight to the Elders some of whom had soot flot seen the dear old flag since they left their mountain home No wonder whey hey hey joined in singing with great fervor The The Star spangled banner oh I how may it wave Oer O'er the land of the free and the home of the bl brave ave During the forenoon a number of European members and friends came from irom the adjoining towns and a sub sub- substantial dinner was prepared for all comers Shortly afterwards the company Went fent ato ao an a adjacent Jacent field to witness an inter inter- interesting interesting Estin esting game ot of football between two Maori Maen teams Most of ol the players were I dressed in uniforms and they evidently d L enjoyed the invigorating sport The Th game was well played as each side sid raced kicked rolled and scrambled to reach their respective goal Spectators however were compelled to turn up their coat collars and en- en enwrap enwrap en enwrap wrap themselves in rugs and over coats over to protect themselves against the chilly wintry winds Various other sports were indulged in after which the call for supper was obeyed with alacrity The tables liter liter- literally literally ally groaned beneath the load of viands which were tastefully arranged Fruits and vario various s delicacies were also spread in great abundance and a number of house house hot plants lent beauty to the scene The large hallwas hall was decorated and festooned with tissue hangings etc and presented a cheerful appearance by lamp light At 8 o'clock an entertainment and dance were opened with appropriate remarks and prayer by President Wm Gardner The Maori Saints and visitors con con- conducted conducted conducted ducted themselves in a becoming man man- manner manner manner ner and it was a pleasant sight to wit wit- witness witness witness ness them joyfully tripping it on the fantastic toe Most of the native sisters wore handsome dresses beautifully trimmed with lace tulle etc and adorned with bosom bouquets and their appearance and behavior would have added grace and beauty to any ball ballroom ballroom ballroom room Many of the young brethren appeared in black suits white ties and white gloves etc and escorted their pair partners with becoming decorum and dignity All present appeared to enjoy the evenings evening's entertainment which continued into the wee sma hours Thus was celebrated Pioneer Day July probably for the first time in 10 New Zealand and the event presents another picture of advancing Maori Maori dom dom May the good work continue until the importance of the event thus cele cele- celebrated celebrated celebrated shall be recognized by every nation and the law go forth from Crom Zion an and the Word of the Lord from J Jeru Jerusalem eru- eru salem Reports from various parts of the mission indicate that the good work is progressing satisfactorily The Elders who recently made special trips among outsiders on the North Island were well received and the results are already apparent Shortly afterwards anum a number num number ber of baptisms were performed at one one nine candidates offering themselves for baptism Elders laboring in the European dis dis- districts districts are earnestly spreading the truth with prospects of great success Very gratifying reports have been received recently from Tasmania New South Wales Victoria and Queensland A new district has Deen been formed in the North New Zealand with Auckland as quarters head-quarters and Elders J Johnson and J Jedediah Goff h have ve been appointed to take charge of ot the work there Elder A J Ridges writing from Sydney N S W states that a great effort is is being made to establish the work in that great city Some years go gothe the Elders ceased their labors there on account of the abuse and opposition but s a better spirit now prevails there Elders Ridges and Armstrong A have been holding open air meetings on the public domain domalD each Sunday with gre t tt t success Many enquiries were di inter tt and so great was the interest that sonde OD e of the audience offered to take up a sub sub- subscription sub sub- subscription subscription and hire a hall ball for services A great spirit of ot enquiry is amongst the people and they desire our church literature From every side comes the cry cry of tracts tracts we want tracts tracts Recently a few lines appeared in the NEWS soliciting the operation co-operation of the Saints in Zion and requesting tracts and church literature from those able to aid in the good work This was several months ago and up to date not Dot has been received Literature addressed L D S Mission Box Auckland N Z will be thankfully re- re received received re received There are forty forty-ei forty eight ht Elders now in iD inthis inthis this mission twenty of whom are travel travel- traveling traveling traveling ing exclusively among Europeans Elder Goddard has been called to tomake tomake tomake make an extensive tour of the coloni colonies S- S Sin in order to counsel and assist the Elders engaged in spreading the Gospel in Australia and Tasmania and the vari vari- various various various ous districts in New Zealand Attention is now being directed to toi i the Figi Chatham and lands s- s lands on all of which are large numbe s i of natives who have not oot yet heard Gospel The Elders in the mission appear it appear te be laboring with commendable zeal and ana the Master will undoubtedly bless Dd and sustain them in their labors of love H ano PHOENIX T TAMAKI AMAKI Hawkes Bay N Z August 1894 |