CHURCH CARAVAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 155, 2 July 1937, Page 9

CHURCH CARAVAN.

TO TOUR THE FAR NORTH. TWO YEARS OF TRAVELLING. Painted larch green, with white lettering and the emblem of the Church Army on its sides, a well-appointed caravan and trailer will leave Auckland to-morrow on a two years' mission in the northern districts of the province in the cause of the Army. In the afternoon the caravan, which is the first in the Auckland Diocese, will be dedicated by Archbishop Averill, when a ceremony will be held at the Army headquarters, Ponsonby, for the commissioning of trainees. The van and trailer, both of which have been provided by Army supporters, will go into the sparsely populated districts among the Maoris and backblock settlers, visiting the people in their homes for the purpose of holding cottage services, and for the distribution of Church literature. The combination will I>© under the charge of Captain F. C. Pearce, and with him will be Captain Dewar, a Xew Zealand trainee who will be commissioned to-morrow. Following the service, the caravan will start immediately, and after a week-end spent at Avondale, will proceed on Monday to Warkworth. In that district three weeks will be spent and plans formulated for penetrating further north. f This is the third of the Church. Army's caravans in New Zealand, the others being in the Christchurch and Napier dioceses, but it is hoped that the fleet will soon comprise eight vehicles. In England the Army has no fewer than 66 caravans. The van portion of the combination is fitted with cupboards and shelves for the stocking of Church literature, while the trailer is the residential part. Built locally, with four sleeping berths, the trailer i« particularly comfortable, having wardrobes, mirrors, extending tables, electric light and a canvas verandah, while special attention has been given the undercarriage to withstand the rigours of the rough country over which it will have to go.