IN MEMORIAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 9

IN MEMORIAM.

HALL DEDICATED. GOOD WORK FOR CHINESE. REV. W. MAWSON'S SERVICE. A hall in Cook Street yesterday afternoon was tilled to overflowing with a mixed congregation of Chinese and Europeans uniting in Divine service. It was the occasion of the dedication of the William Mawson Memorial Hall, and the congregation bad been admirers of the late Rev. William Mawson, whose work for the Chinese is well known throughout the city. Formerly the hall had been the headquarters of the Presbyterian Chinese Mission in Auckland, and the Chinese community decided, after Mr. Mawson's death about a year ago, that it would be a fitting tribute to him to dear the hall of debt and dedicate it to his memory. The Presbytery agreed to this and £234 was raised. The collection yesterday amounted to over £27, and now the debt on the building is less than £10. The Moderator, the Rev. Bower Black, conducted the service, and led the dedication prayer, while addresses were given by the Rev. George Budd and the Rev. Y. S. Chan, Chinese Presbyterian minister in Auckland. 11l his address, Mr. Black said the Rev. Mawson had regarded his missions as Divine enterprise, and he never slackened in his efforts. As a result of what Mr. Mawson had done, the Canton mission had made rapid progress and yielded much influence for good. People would remember him for his cheerfulness, devotion to duty, patience, foresight, industry and capacity for friendship. Mr. Budd read a letter which Mr. Mawson had contributed to the "Outlook" before he had left for Canton in 1003. Mr. Mawson had said that Christians should regard as a sacred duty the carrying of tiie Gospel to the furthermost corners of the earth. Mr. Chan spoke in Chinese. He said that throughout his life, Mr. Mawson had been a true friend of the Chinese people. For 20 years he iiac". worked in Canton with conspicuous success, and then had returned to continue his good work in Auckland. Chinese Christians had been much pleased when the New Zealand Government had appointed Mr. Mawson its official representative at the Institute of Pacific Relations. He recalled instances when Mr. Mawson had been almost penniless, having given nearly all his money to the mission when times were bard. The address was translated by Miss M. Finlay. At the conclusion Mr. Chan's infant daughter was baptised. Afternoon tea was also served.