Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-01-25
FROM NEW ZEALAND.
Annual Conference at waiiangi.-t'ood
Neutrality-suspicious. and Tesii-
monies. christmas.
JiIfor Descrot NepG

in New Zealand renders IL advlsaoie 10
hold two general conferences each
year, and the "Hui Tau" or annual
conference OF the northern districts
was held ut waitangi, near Te Puke,
Bay Of Plenty, on the 23d, cath and
Goth Of Dec, 1902.
Elders were present from all the
districts on the island except Waira'
rapa, and many OF them had Travelled
nearly $50 miles on horseback to attend
conference. j..
Az usual, great preparations had
been made for the entertainment OF
visiting members, and the Maoris III
the vicinity, who were not members
of the Church. readily assisted In iur'
nishing provisions and other accommo'
dations.
The meetings were held In u large
Maori WHARF, or meeting house, decor
ated in the usual MAORI style.
Conference was called to order on
Friday, Dec. 23rd, by the president Of
the Australasian mission, Elder w. Il.
Stewart, and the following named
Elders were present: Elders NJ Ben
Mon, q. w. Taylor, J. NJ. Hendry,
John q. Kelson. o. Andrus, g. Halos,
IL. Akin, J. NJ. Hixson, w. Douglas,
Hans Madsen, l.. q. Rasmussen, re.
Meikle, B. Hamblin, ID. Goddard, Il.
J. Palmer, q. Il. Bartlett, q. Peter
sou aud J. y. Abbott.
After the usual opening exercises,
Elder IT. Stewart greeted the saints
who had assembled from the surround
Ing districts, and stated that the work
was steadily progressing and the inter
est increasing throughout the mission.
lie invoked the blessing OF God upon
the gathering and desired regular at-
tendance by the members.
Elder NJ. Bonnion, president OF the
Whangafei district, reported that the
work amongst the natives was Accord
ing to the usual routine, and there was
nothing special to report. Meeting,
however, had been held among the
Europeans, and an earnest spirit OF
inquiry had been aroused. He testified
~ the lulfilment OF prophecy ana re-
ferred to the blessings awaiting those
who remained faithful to their coven'
ants.
Elder l.. Akin, president OF the Bay
OF Islands district, stated that most OF
the 400 members IN that district were
interested In the work OF tho Lord,
though some were quite weak and
cateiess. He considered that progress
A ussIf 81
meeting with some success.
Elders Hales, Bartlett aud Pouaka
In putiye) also addressed the meeting.
The afternoon meeting convened at
2:sJ In which Elder w. Douglas, Pfesi-
dent Of the Waikato district reported
the Inbors Of ths Elders In that district,
which had been attended with success,
nud there were prospects, OF some work
being done among the Europeans. He
bore testimony to the restoration Of
the Gospel, with all the keys and ordi.
nauoss necessary for the observance OF
lis laws.
Elder Madsen reported the Hauraki
district, stating that many Of the men,
beers were Saints indeed and the field
was In good condition. Related the
pleasant experiences OF the Elders
among the Europeans while explain
ing the principles Of the Gospel, and
spoke at some length on tho first prin.
clplss Of the Gospel.
Elder j. s. Abbott exhorted the
members TO keep the commandments
OF God as taught by our Savior.
An interesting testimony meeting
was held In the evening which con.
tinueu till nearly midnight, many OF
the native members bearing faithful
testimonies. The second days meet
ings were well attended, and services
commenced Mt los am.
Elder y. w. Taylor read the Stats
ticnl report for the six months ending
July 3ist, which showed the total
number OF souls In the mission TO bs
1895, The number OF baptismB for the
half year was reported M II. There ar,
20 Elders from Zion laboring in tn,
mission, four OF whom are engaged ex
olusivsiy among the Europeans.
The general authorities Of tn,
Church and the travelling Elder
were unanimously sustained. Elder
Andrus, president OF the Taursngi
district, stated that tho district was II
tho same condition ne when last re-
ported. No special progress had beer
made, though many efforts had beer
put forth 10 reach the outsiders. Som,
were willing to receive and shelter tn,
Elders for the night, ON condition TIM
no effort was made TO preach tn,
Gospel. He spoke many encouraging
words 10 the Saints on Gospel princi'
Piles.
Elders Hamblin, Peterson, Paine
and Rrother Ormsby IN half cast
Maori) also bore their testimonies.
In the afternoon meeting Elder ]
NJ, Hsndry reported the Warapu dis
trict as In gool condition, ana spok,
also upon the Word OF Vision an,
the.noceseity OF the Saints living up I,
Its requirements. He was gratified /
learn that some ofthe natives intenue,
leaving for Zion coon, ana only thOs
flied with the Spirit OF God wouiI
ever enjoy the blessings oi gathering
with His Saints.
Elder Meikle and Reiha Ia native
addressed the meeting, after whlci
Elder Stewart spoke TO the Saints OF
the necessity OF Prophets In the Churcl
OF Christ. He showed clearly that tn
people OF God must be guided by rev
elation, anu that Christ had ofiel
revealed Himself after His ascensiO u
He referred to the opposition TO tn
work Of the LORD, hni earnestly ex
horted all TO be faithful anu pTaye
that the blessings OF God might res
upon the people.
A Priesthood meeting was held Of
Saturday evening aud the subject {
publishing "Ready References" ia ,h
Maori language was introduced b.
Elder Stewart. The native member
heartily sustained the proposition, nn
eXpIesscd their Willingness 10 a,sisI |
the uLlicitlon. This valuable wOr