| Full Name (Now): | Elliott Fairbanks |
| Served: | February, 1948 to January, 1950 |
| President(s): | Gordon C. Young
A Reed Halversen
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| Family Information |
| Spouse: | Dawn |
| Children: | 6 Children, Jay, Claudia, Paul, Matt, Cindy, Jonathan |
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| Cities and Companions |
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Korongata
Hastings
Nuhaka - Eldre Herlin
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| Other Comments |
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Starting April 1948, Elder Fairbanks began serving in Nuhaka, and in July was given the task by Pres. Halverson (and continued with Pres. Young) the assignment of overseeing the work of the Ngati Kahungunu carved house (whare whakairo). He became a master carver and was declared by Apostle Cowley to be the first Pakeha to master the Maori carving.
Quote from his mission letter:"...the peculiar thing about this work is that when I arrived in New Zealand I had no reason to believe that there were any paticular [sic.] purpose of being sent here. My first job at Korongota was pleasant and interesting, but while there I heard of the Maori Carving going on. Right then and there I had a very strong feeling that my purpose of coming to this mission was connected with that building. I told no one but myself that I was going to work on the building--how or when I didn't know."
"The first step was when I was suddenly transferred to Nuhaka. From there i has been on step after another until now I am in the center of the Maori culture. [... I have an unusual opportunity to gain information and tradition of this race of people that few have. I feel very humble in setting my hands at this work, for I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a great and an important calling for me. Apostle Cowley was counciled [sic.] as to whether or not I should be put on; he with Pres. Halversen's judgement started me carving--not just supervising the building as well, but as a missionary-carving!"
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