Graham guardian., 1913-09-12
A MORMON COLLEGE
Erected by the Church in
New Zealand for the
Maoris

New ASdldDu 10 SoihpNoNN VI WV
islands, north and south, which are
about twenty miles apart at the
nearest point. The area of the two
islands is about the same asthe state
of Utah.
A governor is sent from England,
and the people choose a member
from each district, which constitutes
the parliament.
These members of parliament make
the laws, subject TO the approval of
the governor. Wellington is the
capital and is situated at the south
end of the north island, nearly in
the center of the dominion. Auck-
land is situated in the north part of
the north island, and together, with
Wellington, make the chief seaports.
The climate of the island is quite
mild. Something the same as Ari-
Zona.
1t never snowsin the north island,
except on the tops of the mountains.
Glaciers may be found on small
scale on several of the highest peaks.
In the southern end of the south
island it SHOWS quite often in the
winter months.
There is quite heavy rainfall in
parts of the island, but in some
parts the farmers suffer from drouth
during the summer months.
Irrigation is not practiced in New
Zealand; the farmers depend solely
upon the rainfall.
Frozen meat, wool and dairy pro-
ducts form the chief industries, and
practically all this is sent to England.
There are nearly 100000 Euro
peans in the dominion and about
DC, 900 Maoris.
In early days the Maoris lived in
fortified paes or villages, but now
they are more scattered around, like
the Europeans, living and farming
the lanQ tney own.
New Zealand is often visited with
earthquakes. | have felt one shock
since have been here. which occurred
on the 18th of April. In Masteston,
Maori was in the postoffice when
he first felt the shock and being ex-
cited, he hurriedly walked out just in
time for a huge piece of concrete to
fall on him, which had been shaken
from the tower, killing him outright.
A few cracks were made in the
plaster and in the tower; concrete
knob was shaken off and.a chimney
top cracked, otherwise very little
damage was done.
Bottles came down in one or two
drug stores and goods were thrown
around in various establishments,
but no one injured.
well remember the first Maori |
ever saw. He was standing on the
principal street of Auckland smok-
ing a cigarette. He was, perhaps,
twenty years of age and well dressed,
which very much surprised me. /
expected to see a barbari6us looking
people and was quite disappointed.
While walking on up to head
quarters with the elders. | saw q
number of Maoris, all respectfully
dressed. / saw a number of large
buildings and before'I reached head
quarters | came to the conclusion
Auckland was quite large city,
and there were European convent
ences far exceeding those ! expected
to see.
expected to land amongst race
of half civilized natives, with scarcely
any European population. In fact,
it was just the opposite. We could
have taken the street car to head
quarters had we SO desired,
Then we met the rest of the elders
at headquarters and began to get
acquainted, while the cook, one of
the elders, was preparing dinner.
We ask them how long have you
been out, and you and so on, and here
are the answers: Eight months, two
years, thirty months, etc. We be-
gan to wish we were not so young
at work and think my, I'll be glad
when can say have been out here
eight months or two years. While
this kind of conversation was going
on. the cook in a white apron came
out and said: Haire mai XII te
kai," of course, we new ones stood
there looking at him. When it was
explained that that was the Maori
way of saying come to dinner, we
needed no second invitation, because
we were very hungry, having just
landed and after a severe dose of
sea sickness. We ate till we were
ashamed of ourselves; then another
elder and myself went down town
and bought lot of bananas, which
were very cheap. and finished our
dinner. There is nothing like sea
voyage to stir up the appetite.
While at Auckland, ! enjoyed my
self very much, meeting some of
the saints and hearing the testimonies
of the different elders, l remained
in Auckland for a few days. the
president of the mission being away.
On his return | was sent to labor
among the Msoris of this district.
| found them good, generous peo-
pie, broad minded and full of bust
nnss and aluaus feel al hnrnn