Te Kopara 16
[3] Te Kopara, Number 16, Gisborne, February, 1915.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
THE HUI OF THE WAIAPU DISTRICT HELD AT WHANGARA, 15TH FEBRUARY, 1915.
The Report of the Committee Investigating the Payment of Clergy and Other Matters.
There is a Sustentation Fund for the clergy of the parishes of this area and some others. The content of that Fund and the interest allocated to parishes are as follows.
Investment / Interest
Mohaka £200 / £10 0 0
Wairoa 200 / 10 0 0
Nukutaurua 200 / 10 0 0
Turanga 400 / 20 0 0
Whangara 430 / 21 10 0
Tokomaru 370 / 18 10 0
Whareponga 400 / 20 0 0
Tuparoa 400 / 20 0 0
Te Horo 400 / 20 0 0
Rangitukia 220 / 11 00 0
Te Kawakawa 400 / 20 0 0
Te Kaha 470 / 23 10 0
Whakatane 160 / 8 0 0
Tauranga 420 / 21 0 0
From outside 2,115
£6,785
There remains interest on £2,115 to meet the obligations of the Fund and to supplement what is raised by parishes.
This shows that there will be a remainder for each parish to meet the minister’s stipend. We have learned that the Waiapu parishes have agreed a plan, namely, to pledge an annual amount for every one hundred sheep. It is a good plan if it
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can be fulfilled. The fault with the plan is that it will not apply to those who have no interest in a block.
We think that a committee should be set up in each parish to manage the finances. The committee should not have many members.
1. The task of that committee will be to look at the sheep returns of the Maori stations, to determine how much each should pay, that is, the stations that agree to participate in the plan, and to collect the sheep money each year as arranged.
2. Another task is to make a list of names of those who do not have an interest in the stations, and to request them to give donations in the measure that God has blessed them.
3. The committee should seek other appropriate ways for the parish to obtain money to meet its obligations.
4. The committee should hold gifts given and money collected for the parish.
5. The committee should not retain cash but should put it in the bank or the post office and only two members should be authorised to withdraw money for appropriate purposes.
6. The committee should pay the expenses of the parish and send the minister’s stipend money to the Diocesan Secretary, J B Fielder, Napier.
7. The committee should send the annual accounts to 31st December to the District Hui or the Hui Topu every year.
8. The minister should be a consultant to the committee, not a member.
Herbert W Williams
Poihipi M Kohere
Pine Tamahori
Eruera Te Kura
Wiremu Riiti
Whangara,
14th February, 1915.
Some of the Questions and Motions.
A question from Hori Tohungia:
‘In the case of the dead of some Churches – the Mormons, the Ringatu, and other different Churches, should a minister happen to be there and be asked to conduct the burial, has he the authority to do so?’
The Bishop’s Response:
‘Mormons or Ringatu may not be buried using the rites of the Church for they are
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not Christians, and Christian services, whether of burial or marriage, are not appropriate for them. Even though they may have been baptized, if they have chosen to leave the Church they cannot be called Christians.’
Rev Poihipi M Kohere and Raharuhi Tuanehu:
‘That a committee be set up to settle the problems faced by the Church over clergy stipends and other matters and to report to this hui. The following to be members of the committee: Archdeacon Williams, the Revs Pine Tamahori, P M Kohere, Eruera Te Kura, and Wiremu Riti. Once the committee has presented its report and it has been approved by the hui it is to be printed as a supplement to the work of the hui.’
A Question from Rev Tamati Te Kanapu:
‘Is it possible to prepare in the form of a pamphlet a rite so that can we can bury those who have not been baptized when requested by the parents or the tribe?’
The Bishop’s Response:
‘It is not permissible to use the Service for the Burial of the Dead over someone who has not been baptized. However, Archdeacon Williams has prepared such a pamphlet and I am asking Archdeacon Williams to send copies of that pamphlet to all the clergy and the lay representatives.’
A LOSS TO THE CHURCH – REV TAIMONA HAPIMANA.
On 21st February the Rev Taimona Hapimana entered upon the long sleep. He died at Rotorua. Taimona was well-known in his calling as a minister like his former colleague, Nikora Tautau, who passed away before him. Like Nikora he was one of our leading Maori ministers. Taimona was the last of his generation of clergy; there is now a new generation. Taimona was educated at Te Rau College in Gisborne. In the year 1893 he was made a deacon and in 1896 he was ordained priest. Nikora Tautau and he were made deacons in the same year and priested in the same year. In the year in which they were made deacons they were sent by the Bishop of Auckland as missionaries to the Waikato. The nature of their work amongst Waikato is [whanautia - ?widely] known. Their good work with Waikato resulted in Waikato returning to the faith. In 1906 Nikora Tautau returned to this
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Diocese while his friend remained to run the work in Waikato; but it was not long before the two of them joined up together in this Diocese – one followed the other, and the death of one was announced then of the other as if they were also destined to die together. One cannot separate the stories of these men. I one gives an account of one, one finds oneself speaking of the other. Why? Because it was as if they were the one person from the time of their ordination, to when they lived in the Waikato, to when they returned home, and also to their deaths. David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan is appropriate for them, and we can say, ‘Nikora and Taimona, beloved and lovely. in life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions … how the mighty have fallen.’ [2 Samuel 1.23 & 25 NRSV] The Maori Church laments in these days the loss of its great men, its outstanding leaders. Farewell. Taimona, go to your friend, go to your meeting in the world to come. Go in this time of great strife which you leave behind, go to your resting-place. You have been set free from the burdens of this world; go and rest from your labours. Te Arawa, we greet you in our loss.
THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
Many of us Maori are asking why we have not been informed as yet about what Government was elected, and what was defeated. The explanation is that it has been discovered that in many places there was wrongdoing in the voting. Those places where there was wrongdoing are now subject to judicial investigation. Indeed the Supreme Court has to judge those issues and it is not known when they will be sorted out. So it will not be soon known who in the Government has been elected and who has been defeated.
FOOD FOR TE KOPARA.
January. Jack Brooking, 5/-; February. Tanguru Tuhua, 10/-; Tauri Hariata, 10/-; Right Rev Bishop Williams, 5/-; Miss K Williams, 5/-; Rev H Paerata, 2/6; Tame Ike, 2/6; March. Pita Pokia, 5/-; Karipa Mataira, 5/-;Tane Hohaia, 5/-; Eriha Waata, 5/-;Paora Mihipao, 5/-; Rev Reihana Ngatote, 7/6; Taina Matenga, 5/-.
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THE WAR.
Men Fall; Money is Expended.
During the five months since the beginning of the war up until the end of last year the total number of men who have been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner from all the warring peoples is 6,000,000. The money expended is £1,400,000,000. The following tables show the cost to each nation:
England: 800 officers have been killed and 4,000 wounded. Troops: 15,000 have been killed, 60,000 wounded, and 25,000 are missing.
Russia: The total number of casualties is 1,100,000; of these, 180,000 have died.
Belgium: 30,000 have been killed, 58,000 wounded, and 35,000 taken prisoner.
Serbia: There have been 170,000 losses; 35,000 of these, says Austria, have been taken prisoner.
Germany: 250,000 have been killed; 850,000 have been wounded; 400,000 are unaccounted for.
Austria: The total number of those lost is 1,500,000; of these people 160,000 have been killed.
Money Expended During the Five Months.
England £245,000,000
France 300,000,000
Russia 350,000,000
Germany 300,000,000
Austria 200,000,000
Germany and Russia.
In one of Germany’s communications on 22nd February it says that it has defeated Russia. They have captured seven generals and 100,000 soldiers and taken 150 guns.
The Maori Contingent.
Dr Te Rangihiroa has accompanied the Maori Contingent as their doctor.
Airships.
The German airships have been content to fly over England. On 22nd February one flew over Essex, a well-known English County [taone – town]. It was over that area at 8 o’clock at night. It could not be seen but the noise of its engines was
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heard. It dropped two bombs. One landed on a town called Coggeshall making a crater 3 feet deep and 8 feet in circumference. The other landed in front of a house in Colchester breaking all the windows of that house and the things inside and endangered the life of a baby in that house. At five in the evening of 22nd February a Zeppelin flew over Calais, an important French town on the coast. Five bombs were dropped. Five people were killed and many houses damaged.
THE JEWS.
A Jew, the Editor of a newspaper, wrote in one of the Auckland newspapers. This is part of his article:
‘Since the beginning of this war until now no word of appreciation has been expressed for the number of Jews who are fighting on the side of the allies. The number of us fighting is close to 250,000, and one would think that this compares with the numbers from other peoples who are fighting the Germans – to get rid of the offensive smell of the Germans. There is a way to be considered. Perhaps we shall experience some gratitude when the war is ended. What form could this take? If we are appreciated by England’s allies and other powers how might they show their gratitude? My belief is that the best way the allies could show their appreciation is by returning to us our land of Palestine. It is very clear that Turkey’s rule over that country has been ended and that it will not be returned to them as a place to live. It would be very important to us Jews if the allies were to decide to return to us our country. For how many years now have we been scattered across the face of the earth, living as strangers? A Jew’s heartfelt and greatest wish is to return to his country. We are weary of living as strangers on the face of the earth and so our idea and our wish is that the allies should fulfill this great desire of ours. The plan is that we take it over, we would run the country and so our name would be given to a nation with our own independence after being in subjection for so many years.’
If this wish on the part of the Jews is granted, this would be very important to people of faith, to Christian people.
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The main thing is, it would fulfill the prophecies in the Bible. One of the important prophecies concerning the remaining children of Israel is that they will be gathered from all parts of the world and return to their own land. You can read that prophecy in Ezekiel 36.24. ‘I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land.’ See also 34.13. It is as if the hand of God is directing this war as a way devised by him to gather his people from all nations to return them to their own land. Every aspect of this great war is fulfilling the words of Scripture. Do not ridicule the Scriptures; do not despise God and his Church, doing battle in this world.
‘Now, when these things begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ (Luke 21.28)
A THOUSAND POUNDS FORGOTTEN.
This is a true story from Auckland. Three years ago a man named Woods went to a market where he bought a framed picture. This picture was not a very special picture. When Woods got home he hung the picture. One day the man’s wife took down the picture to wipe off the dust. She took the picture out of the glass. When she took the glass out she found a whole lot of notes lying flat behind it, five pound and ten pound notes. There was a total of £1000. Those notes were from the Bank of New Zealand, they were new and dated from 1911. Some people would have thought that they were in luck, but Woods was aware that that money belonged to someone else and decided to look for the owner of the money. He gave all the money to his lawyer and the lawyer gave it to the Public Trustee. The Public Trustee made enquiries and discovered that the money belonged to a foolish woman. She was identified because she was able slearly to give details relating to the one thousand pounds. The money was returned to her.
We do not know if that man Woods is a Christian or not – or his wife, but we do
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know that he and his wife are people with real feelings, and honest people. Had they been different people they may well have said, ‘My girl, we’ll hold on to our one thousand pounds.’ But we rejoice that Maori are a people like them, a people with noble thoughts like Woods and his wife. We heard that Reweti Kohere and his younger brother, Poihipi Kohere, found a large sum of money in this town when they arrived for the Synod at Whangara. The money belonged to a Maori woman. That woman was probably preoccupied with something and dropped her handkerchief containing the money on the street. Reweti and Poihipi saw the money fall, picked it up, and followed the woman. The woman did not turn to them despite their attempts to get her attention. When she failed to turn to them they gave her her money. Some others may have gone away with what they had picked up.
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Because Frederick H Spencer thought that there would be many Maori at Oihi for Christmas he sent to England for Bibles and New Testaments and these were sent. They have very fine bindings. If anyone wants copies they are to send 7/6 for the Bible (Postage 8d) and 4/- for the New Testament (Postage 3d) to Rev F H Spencer, Whanganui.
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TE RAU COLLEGE STUDENTS’ EXAMINATIONS
No-one at the College failed this year as happened last year. So we have been fortunate in our work this year. Of these students, one has left – Tamati Te Kanapu. He left on 20th December and was ordained at Ruatoki in the first Tuhoe church, and he is the first-fruits of Tuhoe to be ordained there. That circumstance determined that Tamati should go to that parish. Arona Makareka did not sit his examinations because he had enlisted with the contingent going to the war. We hear that he did not travel because he had pneumonia at the time the Maori Contingent departed and he could not go. Our understanding is that he will stay on here at College.
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Grade I (Maori)
Old New Prayer Catechism Church Total
Testament Testament Book History
Karauria Karena 200 150 151 142 116 759
Nepia Hotene 172 162 116 105 110 665
Grade II (Maori)
Articles Prayer [?Peiri] Old Church Total
Book Testament History
Mate Wharehuia 185 159 198 225 234 1001
Waewae Ratapahi 130 133 123 117 139 642
Metera Aomarere 137 135 100 150 118 640
Hana Taua 121 92 99 129 100 541
Grade III (Pakeha)
OT Isaiah Greek [?Patara] Articles Church Holy Latin Total
History Communion
Wiremu Tureia 140 93 142 148 126 95 145 73 962
Tamati Te Kanapu 135 120 125 132 106 117 115 70 920
THE SCRIPTURES
To Rev F H Spencer, Whanganui.
Bible, 2/6, 4/-, 6/- Fine Binding, 7/6 (Postage 8d)
New Testament 6d, 1/-, 1/6/ 2/-, 2/3 Fine Binding 4/- (Postage 3d)
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
3. Anyone wishing to take Te Kopara should send the money with the covering letter.
4. Articles are welcome from all parts of the country, but the Editor reserves the right to decide on what to print. Write clearly.
5. Address all letters to:
Te Kopara,
Te Rau,
Gisborne.
A NOTICE
To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books. The prices are:
Large, soft cover 2/6
Large, red cover 3/-
Large, hard cover 4/-
Large, superior cover 5/6
Small, soft cover 1/-
Small, red cover 1/6
Small, hard cover 2/6
Small, superior cover 3/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 1/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 1/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, superior cover 4/-
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 3/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 5/6
Hymns 6d
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Naurea, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
New Testament with explanatory headings. 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Small New Testament with the Psalms. 2/-, 2/6, 3/-, 3/6, 4/-. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Printed and published by H W Williams at Te Rau Printing Works, Berry Street, Gisborne, New Zealand.
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