3Rd Lower Hutt Boy Scouts

1 2 DEDICATION This book is dedicated to future members of Laings Road Methodist Church. May their faith and action be relevant to the needs of the people of this city and may they pause to consider and record the history of which they are a part. LIMITED EDITION Published by the Laings Road Methodist Church, Lower Hutt in association with Methodist Publishing, Box 931, Christchurch. On our way: the first 150 years of the Methodist Church in Lower Hutt/authors, Tolla Williment. [et al.I. [Lower Hutt, N.Z.]: Laings Road Methodist Church in association with Methodist Publishing, [1989] 1 v. “New Zealand 1990 official project.” ISBN 0-908803-00-1 1. Laings Road Methodist Church (Lower Hutt, N.Z.) 2. Methodist Church — New Zealand — Lower Hutt — History. I. Williment, T. M. I. (Tolla Margaretta I.) 287. 19342 Printed by Wright & Carman. Typesetting by Artspec. Text by Jennifer Jones. Cover Design & Layout by Barrie Eady. 3 ‘On Our Way” is the story of Methodism in the Hutt Valley seen against a background of social change which has continuously affected the past 150 years. The book starts in pre-European times and traces the arrival of various waves of settlers and their attempts to set up churches in their new home. The eleven authors have researched widely over the past two years and provided an insight often lacking in chronological works. Generously illustrated and indexed, this book is a worthwhile addition to the historical records of the people of Lower Hutt. Pitt Henrich, designer and maker of the Pulpit Fall depicted on the cover of I this book, speaks of her work in this way — “This church wanted me to show how their work as Methodists with a tradition of social concern could go out from the church in the Hutt Valley to people everywhere. The Koru is the universal symbol for the unfolding of new life. The three circles represent the Trinity, and also, like radio waves, the Word of God going out into the Valley”. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have contributed to the making of this book. In particular we thank Bob Hancock for his editorial expertise, Jennifer Jones for her mammoth work in preparing the typescript, Tony Froude for acting as business manager and providing photographs and Helen Sullivan for preparing the references and index. Our grateful thanks to Barrie Eady of Upper Hutt for providing the cover design and layout. We also acknowledge with gratitude contributions from the New Zealand 1990 Commission and the Tom Martin bequest. Many have given help with finding information, reading drafts, indexing information and drawing maps, amongst whom are the following: Armer Alcorn, Lindsay Hall, Eric Heggie, Sir Ralph Love, Ian McLean, Rhoda McLean, David Mealing, Malcolm Nicholls, Walter Nicholls, Arthur Olsson, Bert Smith, Bob Sullivan and Les Winslade. A large number have helped through recounting reminiscences, corresponding, lending photos or giving information to church archives. To all who have given significant or small pieces of the jig-saw, our thanks. Lastly, we remember with gratitude past members of the parish who have helped to keep our history alive, especially Mr Bill Greenwood and Mr Lance Hall who would have relished being part of this project. The Authors 5 CONTENTS ON OUR WAY The First 150 Years of the Methodist Church in Lower Hutt. PART I The Church in the Valley. Chapter 1 The Hutt Valley and its Environs Prior to 1840. - Tolla Williment Chapter 2 The Wesleyans in the Hutt Valley 1840-1872. - Alison Carey Chapter 3 The Church in the Village 1872-1900. - Helen Froude Chapter 4 The Church in the Town, 1900-1935. - Helen Froude Chapter 5 The Church in the City 1935-1970. - Helen Froude Chapter 6 Circles of Influence, 1970-1990. - Helen Froude Chapter 7 Primitive Methodists in the Hutt Valley. - Alison Carey Chapter 8 Local/Lay Preachers. - Bob Sullivan PART II—The Church at Laings Road. Chapter 9 Sunday School - Lyn Goffin Chapter 10 Methodists Make Music. - David Archer Chapter 11 Methodist Youth. - Brian & Winifred Low Chapter 12 Women at Work. - Kath James Chapter 13 Men Meet. - Alison Carey Chapter 14 3rd Lower Hutt Boy Scouts. -Alison Carey Chapter 15 3rd Hutt Valley Girls’ Brigade. - Anne Udy Chapter 16 17th Wellington Boys’ Brigade. - Les Pearce Chapter 17 Sports Clubs Connected with the Church. - Alison Carey Epilogue I Believe ……….One Person’s Thoughts. - Brian Low APPENDICES A. Ministers Serving the Hutt Church B. Wives of Ministers Serving the Hutt Church C. Subscribers to the Minister’s Dwelling, 1859 D. Earliest Registers E. Hutt and Waiwhetu Directory, 1870 6 F. Burials, Wesleyan Cemetery G. War and Peace H. Circuit Stewards I. Sunday School Superintendents J. Organists and Choir Trainers K. Candidates for the Ministry. Deaconesses and Order of St. Stephen workers at Hutt L. Notable Service or Achievement M. Present Church Organisations 7 EXPLANATION OF TERMS 1. The term Wesleyan applied to the main-stream Methodist Church last century. Primitive Methodists were another division of the church also present in the Hutt Valley from about l 850 until they combined with the Wesleyans in 1913 to form the Methodist Church of New Zealand. 2. A Society was a group of Methodists in one locality or church. Several societies formed circuit which co-operated in some aspects of administration through the Quarterly Meeting. In 1983 circuits were renamed parishes. Ministers at Laings Road have always been Superintendent Ministers of the circuit or parish. 3. The oldest Methodist Church in the Hutt Valley has had many names. The first chapel was usually called River Hutt or Aglionby even though the village of Aglionby was originally some way further south. Since coming to the eastern side of the river it has been called Hutt, Lower Hutt and recently, Laings Road. The church has been situated facing Laings Road only since 1927. FOOT NOTES Abbreviations Used: Connexional Archive = Methodist Connexional Archivist CHRISTCHURCH LRMC = Laings Road Methodist Church LOWER HUTT NLNZ = National Library of New Zealand WELLINGTON The foot notes are placed within each Chapter at the bottom of the page, except for Chapter 2 where they at the end of the Chapter. All superscript references are hyperlinked to the appropriate footnote. [Online editor’s note] 8 FOREWORD On Our Way is the story of the Hutt Methodist Church over the last 150 years. The history of Methodism’s presence in the Valley is characterised by a responsiveness to the emerging town and later city life. Methodism in the Hutt has never stood still, though its movement has not been uniform or predictable. As it has struggled to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there have been peaks and valleys in its life; some of its own making, others caused by factors beyond itself. I want to commend the various contributors to the book for their determination to record the journey of the church thus far. Each has put tremendous effort into researching and writing their respective chapters so that the story can be told with accuracy and sensitivity. But more than that, they have wanted to tell of the people and events that have shaped the church’s life for a century and a half. I find it significant that as the Hutt Church moves, beyond its 150th Anniversary, it faces yet another pressing question, ‘How does the city shape its response to the Gospel?’ Already in part its answer is appearing, although we must wait to see its full response. However, the church’s past faithfulness gives me confidence that in the future it will serve and witness to the city in ways which are consistent with its commitment to Christ. (Rev.) Barry E. Jones, Minister 1989 President — The Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hähi Weteriana O Aotearoa 1989-1990 9 CHAPTER ONE THE HUTT VALLEY AND ITS ENVIRONS PRIOR TO 1840 TOLLA WILLIMENT Many centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Hutt Valley and its environs were inhabited by Maori. Ancient deities such as those of forest, sea and war1 were respected, and offerings and ritual incantations were made by the tohunga to appease them. The laws of Tapu (made sacred) and Rahui (prohibition) were invoked by the tohunga, and had the effect of protecting the natural resources which provided Maori with their livelihood. The Hutt Valley was rich in these resources, and was a favourite foraging ground for the Maori who lived in Te Whanganui-a-Tara2 (the Great Bay of Tara, now Wellington Harbour), over the centuries. The harbour also had great natural beauty, being bounded by bush-covered hills. To the north, the forest which covered the Valley and hills merged into distant mountains; while to the south, at Pito-one, — the sandy end— (Petone), areas of sand and flax-filled swamps separated the forest from the sea. Access to the upper valley was mainly by way of the Heretaunga3 (now the Hutt) River. It was said that so secluded were its bends, that only when high winds disturbed its bordering trees, could the ‘glittering, silver river’4 be seen. The alluvial soil, the result of frequent floodings, grew splendid crops of kumara and other vegetable foods. The aruhe (rhizome of the bracken fern), was widely available,5 while birds and fish from river and sea were other important sources of food. Many species of native tree grew in the forest, some of immense height, and these provided shelter, and timber for canoes. There is a Maori tradition that 700 years ago timber for a pa at Miramar was cut in the Hutt Valley and rafted across the harbour.6 1 Tane was god of the forest; Tangaroa, god of the ocean, and Tu god of war.

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