Gisborne Poverty Bay P. O. Box #10 New Zealand January10th 1888 President Wilford Woodruff Salt Lake City Utah Dear Beloved Brother: It is by the kindness and blessings of Our Heavenly Father that we are permitted to ad- -dress you in the enjoyment of health and strength, and I trust the spirit of this important mission, at this the commencement of another year, and I feel that we as saints can hail with joy each new year, knowing as we do ...

this you have been restored to perfect health and strength to enable you to perform your many duties and labors, that are required of you in your high and holy calling. Elder H. J. Sears was released to return home by the December Steamer, but being disappoi nted in getting his passage money he did not leave Auckland for home until the 2nd inst. The check for $12500 for his return fare came safe and was forwarded to him. $15000 is the amount that has ...

Territory is more micld towards us, as also to learn that there is not that vindictiveness on the part of the officials in our Territory, although I see that many of our bre- -thern are being sent to prison. Was sorry to hear of the unusual dry season coming, so much severe sickness in the midst of the saints, but I trust winter with her storms has before this brought health to the homes of the saints. We rejoiced to learn of the good health of the Apostles, and do earnestly pray ...

Elders Ezra F. Richards and Sondra Sanders for with his assistance have just finished the revision of the first and second Books of Nephi, and we are most thankful to state, that the (Henari Potae) pronounces the trans- lation as being very good indeed, far better then he thought it could have been done and if this is the case of the first part of their work, it will be still better as they get further along, as they feel, that by the blessings of God, they ...

method of raising the means necessary to defray the expenses of the same, which we trust we will have no great difficulty in obtaining. In a former letter, it was stated, that we were obtaining prices for printing and binding, from the leading establishments in New Zealand, we have now received the same, and will here quote the best terms received, from the "Star Office", in Auckland, quite a large and reliable firm, having compositers that understand Maori, which is a great advantage, the ...

instructions. We would be most thankful to receive any information from Brother Geo Q. Cannon, or others, in re- lation to the number best to print? the best method to ad- opt to obtain the required means? &c. We mention brother Cannon, because he has had an experiance with a sim- ular people and work, the printing and finding will take about one year. At our Conference in April, the following named Elders will be honorably released to return home to the bosom of the church and friends, having performed ...

from 20 to 30 years of age are much preferable, as they can acquire the language much more readly, as also stand the climate & c the best, would like one or two of them suitable for teaching school. There are some few of our dusky friends that are becoming quite anxious about gathering home to Zion, About a year ago we wrote at some length about the emigration of this peculiar people, giving our opinion from what we had seen, about a suit- able place being selected for them, their mode ...

During our trip, four new branches and two new conferences were organized, there were also quite a number added to the church by baptism, and since my return, Elders Elias Johnson and George Romney Jr, writes that they have added 42 others to the Church and organized another branch thus we are able to report the work of the Lord spreading among the branch of the house of Israel, to our great rejoicing. The health of the Elders is good, and with but few ...

made bare in the defence of His covenant people, and in the overthrow of the powers of the earth, sur^e^ly Uncle Sam should turn his attention from Utah and her people, to the fearful internal workings of his own people, who are preparing to lay waste every City, town and hamlit and bring destruction and death to his people, the saints can well afford to wait the Lords time in all things. We are deeply interested in your welfare, and that of the Apostles, knowing ...

P. S. Jany 16th Since writing the above we have just re- ceived your very interesting and instructive letter of the 12th of Dec 1887. We were thankful to learn of your improved health, as also the good health of the Apostles. It is also most gratifying to know that the Lord has so wonderfully preserved the leaders of Israel from imprisonment, while such strenuous effort are being made to capture them, surely we are led to praise God all the day long. It truly is a "day of ...

San Francisco March 7th and for this once please address to me at Hastings, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Thanking you for your kind letters, and ever prayer for your welfare and that of Zion. I remain your Brother Wm Paxman ...

Wm Paxman, 10 Jan 1888

Statement of Cash Received from the President of the Church, for the return of Elders Ect from the Australasian Mission up to December 31st 1887 1887 Dr 1887 Cor Aug To Draft $600.00 Aug By Jas. A. Slater $150.00 Oct [To Draft] 340.00 [Aug] [By] B. W. Young Passage Nov [To Draft] 125.00 Matalic Coffin Ect 190.00 [To] Amt ...