Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 9 (December 1, 1934)

First Visit to Auckland

First Visit to Auckland.

His first visit to the new town of Auckland was made at the end of July, 1841; there the Governor, Captain Hobson, gave him a section of land for a station and church, and arrangements were made for a priest to be sent to Auckland (Father Petitjean was presently stationed there), and the Bishop continued his cruising along the shore southward, addressing the Maoris and the stray traders settled here and there. On his visit to Tauranga this time, he decided to extend his activities to the Rotorua tribes. From Maketu, where he established a mission, he walked to Rotorua, accompanied by several chiefs. The Arawa people received him with the kindness he had invariably experienced in Maori districts. “We encountered tribes on our way,” he wrote in his account of the journey, “who had never seen the face of a Catholic priest, and who had only one little mission book. and yet who recited word for word the catechism and morning and evening prayers without a single mistake.” That was the experience of more than one pioneer white missionary in Maori
The historic house called “Pompallier,” at Russell, Bay of Islands. This was Bishop Pompallier's residence at the time of Hone Heke's war, in 1845, and it was one of the few buildings that the Maoris spared when they burned Koro areka town. The house is now over ninety years old.

The historic house called “Pompallier,” at Russell, Bay of Islands. This was Bishop Pompallier's residence at the time of Hone Heke's war, in 1845, and it was one of the few buildings that the Maoris spared when they burned Koro areka town. The house is now over ninety years old.

Land. The new religion was a wonderful novelty, and the Maori was never content until he had learned every word of the karakia. Korokai was the principal chief at Ohinemutu in those days, and Pompallier made a firm friend of him.