The Maori Agricultural College

The Maori Agricultural College at Korangata BY ELDER W. J. BECK In the far-away land of New Zealand, the work of the Lord is progressing in a satisfactory manner. Especially is this so among the Maori people. One of the great needs of this mission is more elders. We have been compelled to discontinue the work in some of the larger cities, among the Europeans, owing to the scarcity of elders. While we have about five thousand Maori Saints in this mission, there are It has been six months since only about fifty elders at present. any new elders arrived in this land. President 0. D. Romney has received word to commence the building of the Maori Agricultural College which will be erected at Korangata, at which place the Church owns some one hundred and thirty acres of very fertile land in a beautiful location. The college is to cost $45,000, and is to be built of cement and brick. It will contain twenty-seven bed rooms, a large kitchen and dining room, six bath rooms, an assembly hall seating from three hundred

208 IMPROVEMENT ERA to four hundred people, four class rooms, laundry, diying and ironing rooms, and will accomodate nearly one hundred students. Work has already commenced by the architect in charge, and the building is to be completed in ten months and will be up to date in every respect. The erection of this building and the establishment of a school at this place will result in great benefit to the -people whose children are now compelled to leave home to go to colleges conducted by other churches. In this new school, young people will be taught the principles of the gospel as well as the science of agriculture. The Maoris are intelligent people, and develop rapidly, if given the opportunity that people have at home in our own land. They SECTION OF FENCE AROUND THE CHURCH FARM. The college will be built about where the two nearest sheep are grazing.

own large tracts of land which, if put to the right use, would bring them great returns in means and comfort. However, a great many Maoris are selling their land to the government or to the Europeans, and are spending their money for things which do them no good. They stand in need of being taught the use and value of the land, — and the importance of keeping it, this is what the college will undertake to do. From all reports, the Hawkes^Bay district is the most progressive district in this mission. At the district conference recently

THE MAORI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AT KORANGATA 209 held at Te Hauke, something over two hundred Saints were present, besides a good number of outsiders. President O. D. Romney and wife were in attendance, also Elder M. M. Johnson and wife and eight elders. Many of the Maori brethren in this district are exceptionally good speakers. They quote the scriptures more readily than most elders. The Spirit of the Lord was present and every one enjoyed the meetings, although some could not understand the language. Some of these said that while they could not understand the language, they could comprehend the good spirit which was present.

TWO OAT STACKS ON THE FARM. A group of elders standing near one stack. In this mission the elders do not have headquarters but stay with the Saints wherever they happen to be. They visit the different branches once a month holding Priesthood meetings with the Saints. Elder A. S. Francom and F. W. Halls are traveling among the Saints. I am teaching a Maori school at Korangata. The prosperous condition of the Saints in this district is largely due to the president of the district, Elder Francom, who has been laboring here for two years. The Saints are very kind to the elders who are very welcome to the best they have. During the last three months there were thirty baptisms, eleven children blessed, and fifteen other ordinances performed. Auckland, New Zealand.