Comments on: Haere Mai ki te Hui Tau!

By: Morris Thurston

Morris Thurston — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:22:06 +0000

My great-grandfather, Wm. G. Reese, served a mission to Australia shortly before the above article was written (1906-09). He wrote regular letters for publication in the Logan Tri-Weekly Journal from Australia — some thirty in all. I’m in the process of editing these articles and intend to publish them. They provide a fascinating view of Australia in the first decade of the twentieth century through the eyes of a Cache Valley schoolteacher.

I found your article very interesting. New Zealand was a much more “prosperous” (in terms of baptisms) mission than Australia in those days because of the Maoris.

On another point, Ardis, have you received my e-mails regarding a Miller Eccles invitation? Thanks.

By: Clark

Clark — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:02:41 +0000

Interesting that Pres. McKay, one of the few who had witnessed the event, and evidently thought highly of it, was the one to call it quits. I’ll have to go back and read the full accounts when I have more time.

That newspaper article (or rather, the summary you included in the post) is a classic. The way the journalist captures personalities and descriptions is fascinating, but entirely out-of-place in today’s newswriting. I liked it.

By: Bruce Crow

Bruce Crow — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:55:48 +0000

The “hui tau” had not really begun by the time my ancestors left New Zealand. Most missionary work was still done among the Europeans at the time. Though I think my second great grandfather noted that it was beginning while he was there. Anyway this was very fascinating. Thank you.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:05:28 +0000

Ha! I’m glad to have that question answered, EmJen … but just a little sad that it was done in the interest of homogenization. Er, standardization. Er, correlation. Er, whatever we should call it!

By: EmJen

EmJen — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:04:28 +0000

*finally

By: EmJen

EmJen — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:02:27 +0000

Ha! I can final flout my little corner of historical publication:

http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/pioneers-pacific-memory-history-and-cultural-identity-among-latter-day-saints/11-hui-tau-cu

“The newly formed South Mission continued holding Hui Tau for a few years until the First Presidency directed them to stop and instead have quarterly district conferences.”