Chapter 6
Civilizing Influences

Perhaps the earliest and most courageous of the pioneers were the missionaries, and they have never been accorded the praise which is their due. Coming among a fierce race of cannibals to preach the gospel of a loving God needed inspiration and conviction as well as courage. The conversion of the Maoris to become a peaceful and amiable people was one of the greatest triumphs of the Christian faith, and proof of the power of the Gospel. Names such as Matthews, Selwyn, Williams, Marsden, Colenso, Brown, and many others come down to us as those of benevolent heroes taking their lives in their hands every moment, traversing immense distances on foot, wading through streams, swimming through rivers, plunging through undrained swamps up to (heir chests, clambering up and down precipices, pushing their way through primeval forest. It is also of great credit to the Maoris that attacks on missionaries were very unusual. There is the case at Matamata when the missionaries retired from a savage mob into the runanga house. The only defence they put up was the singing of hymns. The Maoris were so impressed by the courage of these men singing to their God, while in the face of instant death, that they concluded that the pakeha atua must be much more powerful than theirs, and they did not attack.

I feel that I should mention also the Y.M.C.A. The Auckland Y.M.C.A. was one of the earliest branches to originate outside of England, and the principal credit is due to the late Mr. R. B. Shalders, a leading member of the Baptist Churoh. Work was started among the young men in 1855, and the first location was in Chapel Street, whence the Association moved to Durham Street. Its building there was destroyed by fire, and new premises were erected at the corner of Wellesley and Albert Streets in 1879. There its activities were carried on with much success under the management of Mr. Brackenrig till larger premises became necessary, and the present building in Wellesley Street East was erected in 1913.

The Auckland branch is now in its Centennial Year and has just published its Ninety–ninth Annual Report, which is a really remarkable record of achievement in all departments of its activities — spiritual, physical and financial. With the help of page 11 Miss Yvette Williams, of its sister Association, the Auckland Y.W.C.A., it has brought a record number of local, provincial, New Zealand, Empire and World Championships to Auckland.

Next after the missionaries I rank the surveyors. They did a wonderful work in triangulation survey and in fixing the best routes and grades for roads to become the main means of transport. We must keep in mind the then conditions of the country with its dense bush, steep hills, and deep swamps.