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1 [f0026_00021] Having been called at the General Conference Octr 1875. to labor in New Zealand, on Novr 3rd in company with the Australian Missionaries I left Salt Lake City for Ogden, where we took the Western bound cars (Central Pacific) for San Franciso where we arrived on the evening of the 5th, On the 10th we sailed in the Pacific Mail Steamer Colima and arrived in Auckland NZ Decr 13th. Here four of us viz Elder W McLachlan, John Rich, C C Hurst and myself were appointed to labour. Taking the cars we crossed the Island to Onehunga, wher we took passage to Wellington per steamer Hawea, we landed Decr 18th 1875. Elders McLachlan and Rich at once proceeded to Canterbury, where there was a small branch of the Church at Kaipor, 12 miles from Christchurch, presided over by Bro James Burnett a local Elder. My by brother and I stayed in Wellington 2 [f0026_00022] to visit our friends. President Groo counselled us in case there was no opening to follow the brethren on to Canterbury, and all labour together until the Mission was fairly opened up. There had been a few Saints in Karori, but owing to the return of a Mr Dryden and family from Utah (an apostate) they had all died out and would have nothing to do with Mormonism. The only place we could get to stay was with our Mother who was very kind to us. In accordance with counsel received C C Hurst left me for the South Decr 23rd not having means for both to go I laboured hard to make an opening but met with much opposition. In the meantime I received a letter from Elder McLachlan containing 2£ and counselling me to stay. I then hired the Odd Fellows Hall. had the meetings advertised in The Evening Post, had tolerable attendance the two first meetings. A reporter from each paper present. The 3rd meeting not a soul attended 3 [f0026_00023] mean more I used every Endeavour to make myself acquainted with the Marori language but found great difficulty in associating with them on account of the influince of these ministers who kept them well informed of any thing that would militate against the truth. I tried in vain to get up meetings on Karori but failed, I made a few friends in Ohariu valley 16 miles from Wellington and succeeded in getting the School house twice, but could never again obtain the privilege. I was obliged to labour with my own hands for my support during the whole of the time. June 15th 1876 Elder C C Hurst joined me, we took a trip up the Hult valley, but our efforts in that direction where fruitless. We rented a house in Ohariu during the rainy season chopped cord wood and painted pictures for a living. We succeed- ded in living down a great deal of prejudice, and did a great deal of fire side preaching besides distributing a number of our tracts. In 4 [f0026_00024] October we were calculating to go to Napier on the East Coast and from their strike into the interior among the Maories but we received instructions to go south to Canter- bury, Oct 31st we left Wellington & Nov 1st we arrived at Lyttelton per steamer Lady Bird took the cars to Kiaipoi, where we rejoiced to meet our Bre once more and associate with Latter day saints. I will here remark I was a little over one year without the privilege of meeting with the Saints or par- taking of the Sacrament. I now tried to make arrangments with some Maories (at Maori run) 4 miles from Kiaipoi to study their language, but their Priests told them I was a false Prophet and forbade them to let me in there houses. I could read & write their language, but needed to associate with them to enable me to converse freely. Some time in December we received instructions from President Groo for one of the bre to accompany me to the North Island and make it our special business to go amongst the Maories 5 [f0026_00025] Elder McLachlan talked some of going with me but on the 23rd Janry 1877 we received letters stating that we were all released to return home to Zion, and on Feby 8th Elders McLachlan and Steed left for Utah leaving Elder C C Hurst in charge of the N Z Conference. We were very much blessed in our labours after the Brethren left us. I babtized nine new members into the Church and up to the time we left May 4th 12 were added in all. Our time was wholly taken up travelling and preaching. We made one trip to Oxford by rail 45 miles from Christchurch but as usual found the people full of predjudice and Sectarian bigotry. We left the Saints as a general thing feeling well and very anxious to gather to Utah. Elder James Burnett Junr & John Walker we left in charge of the New Zealand Conference I have been informed by letter, that two more had been added to the Church since we left. We sailed from Lyttleton May 4th and Aukland N.Z May 9th per steamer 6 f0026_00027] City of Sydney, spent the 21st May at Honlalula, Sandwich Islands arrived in San Francisco May 31st and at our Homes in Logan June 6th 1877. As President Young wished me to state my opinion in regard to the N Z mission there are a great many Scandinavians in those Colonies and I firmly believe that a Danish and and American Elder would find an extensive field to labour in & to some profit. Owing to a severe fit of sickness I have not been able to send this report sooner. With sentiments of respect I remain Your Brother in the Gospel F W Hurst.