Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-03
NEWS FROM new ZEALAND
The Recent Terrible Storms There
Loss Of Life and Properly.



Elder F. ID. Richards:
My Dear Father.-It has been some
time since | have had the pleasure OF
reading letter from you. but no doubt
you are rushed with business continu.
ally OF more important and profitable
nature than corresponding with me too
often. also find little to occupy my
time out here; and would have crowd.
ed this letter off one more mail. il had
been sure you would have seen my let
ter to First Presidency.
trust these few lines will find you in
the enjoyment of health and strength
and able 10 carry on your multiplied
duties. Elder Gardner undoubtedly
gave you an idea of the work in this
land, an account OF our travels through
the mission together, and how we found
1t generally; and am happy 10 say, lh,
work has been progressing nicely ever
since. AS high as fifty additions have
teen reported IN month, and our re.
port for the year ending December 3Ist,
1896, showed net increase OF 76f souls
Between thirty and forty Europeans
have been added in Australia and Tas.
mania since Elder Gardner's return,
number OF whom have emigrated to
Zion
| have been on the go almost coa-
tinually, having visited all parts OF the
mission except the Wairau district at
least once, and some two and three
times over.
There seems to be a general demand
for Elders. We have sxty.one now
booked, five more are supposed to have
Just arrived in Australia, and we could
use good many more if we had them.
The semi-anuual conference OF the
mission has just been held in Waikato.
1t had been postponed on account Of
scarcity OF food. Twenty-three Elders
were in attendance, ana perhaps two
hundred and fifty to three hundred
Saints and friends. We were blessed
with good weather, though It looked
very threatening. Ten meetings were
held in three days, besides the Elders
meeting, which lasted six hours and
half. The conference was particularly
noted Tor the peace and quietude which
prev allied throughout. Inc Lord iav-
ored US with His Spirit in rich abuni
ance. Much valuable instruction was
given, and we had time oil general re-
loiclng, and one long to be remembered
a Maori band was IN attendance, which
favored us with number of selections
between meetings.
Elders c. IL. Embley and Moroni
Lazenby were released to return home
by the March boat. They will have
been away three and half and two and
halt years, respectively.
The general health OF the Elders re-
manning is tirstrate, SO far as l am post
ed; and they are earnestly endeavoring
to do what they can TO acquit themselves
honoraby and acceptabiy before the
Lord.
From the 2Sth to the 3rst ut., ter
rible rain and wind storm prevailed in and
around New Zealand, causing much de-
strucion OF property and some loss Of
lie. Trees were thrown down and up
rooted, chimneys, fences, etc., thrown
down, and many yachts and other
boat; cast ashore. A captain was killed
near Napier. The first mate got his leg
broken, and four oil the crew were badly
Injured. Another captain was killed in
Auckland harbor. happened to be
near Tie Aroha, Haurahl at the time, and
fortunately IN good quarters. The river
- h'shSi tiah i1i years. NIUpS are Dduly
damaged on the lower lands, in some
instances being washed out, and in other
cases buried up. Falling timhels
changed the course OF freshet, and the
water in some houses was from two to
four feet deep, running out Of the win
dows. The best of iuIniiure was all
siioat. and one man is ieckoned to have
been damaged 10 the amount OF S7oo.
Eels were washed down out OF the
mountain streams in great abundance,
ana people around the streets gathered
them up for food. Another three days
rain Is prevailing now.
The lore part OF the season was very
dry, and people began to fear their
crops would be failure from drouth;
ana they are very light.
l expect 10 start south next week. and
to attend conferences In Poverty Bay,
Waiapu, Mahia and Hawkes. Bay dis.
irlcts, and reach W airarepa 10 hold our
general annual conference OF the mis-.
sion, on April 4th, sih and 9th.
My heath is good at present, and |
have been greatly blessed OF the Lord
thus far, Tor the multiplied and complex
duties which have had to perform, Tor
which feel truly grateful to Him. 1t
has been indeed a great testimony to
me, the manner He has opened up
the way before me, and has blessed and |
msgnited me as circumstances and my
iabors and responsibl tiles have re-
quired.
Some one was thoughtful enough to |
send me good many papers OF differ
ent kinds this mail, some OF which sent |
10 The Auckland Reading rooms, for |
which the manager SCENE quite CRATE
iul. L. +. RICHARDS.