THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19643, 12 June 1929, Page 7

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL MEETING. The nurty-seco-id annual meeting of ■ the Melanesian Mission was held yesterday morning, when Bishop WestWatson presided over a large attendance. Inci uded amongst those present was Archbishop Julius. Mission work in the Christchurch diocese for the past year must be considered satisfactory, stated the report. Local interest nad been well maintained ; indeed, the balance-sheet seemed to show that it had increased. Associates of Melanesia had met regularly for intercession and dissemination of news, and several sewing parties had been held for tbje making of surplices, males, etc. Comfort boxes were dispatched as usual by the second voyage of the Southern Cross, while many gifts for the new hospital were packed and sent in February. The most important event of the year was the garden party at Bishopscourt early in February. Held mainly as a means of deepening interest, it was also a great success financially, for about £136 was cleared, which helped to swell the missionary quotas of the various parishes. Three or four more Sunday schools adopted native scholars, while the parish of Timaru had very kindly promised to support the Rev. R. J. Sheard, stationed at Guadalcanar, Solomon Islands.

The committee regretted that owing to health reasons Miss May Scott ana the Rev. C. L. Mountfort had to resign from the mission. Miss Hurse, who had been a member of the staff in the Islands since 1901, was now enjoing a well-earned furlough, and prior to leaving for England early in the year spent a few weeks in Christchurch. News from the Islands told of several recruits to the staff, including two missionary sisters from England, who hoped to start a women's training centre at Siota, and possibly as time goes on to found a sisterhood. Dr. L. M. Maybury had chosen a site for the new hospital on the Island of Mala. Two targe donations of £3OOO and £2OOO from England and Australia would enable work to begin very shortly. At th© conference held at Siota last jrear, it was decided to replace the Southern Cross by two smaller vessels, which would be more economical and perhaps, in some respects, more convenient. It was possible that the new boats would be in commission in 1931. The Mission had recently lost om> of its oldest and most faithful supporters in the person of Miss K. Wilson. Sympathy was extended to her sisters and other relatives in their sorrow.

I The balance-sheet shows the total sum raised to be £1822 9s lOd, an increase of £261 13s 2d over the amount raised for last year. The local expenses amounted to £lO2 ss, the Whitsuntide offerings were £BS more than the previi ous year, while general subscriptions i and donations were £176 14s Id more. The returns for.the support of native scholars and teachers were lower than last year, due to the fact that many parishes failed to send in their contributions in time to be included in the year's accounts. Other items compared favourably with those of previous years. The Committee thanked Mr MitchelJ, who had kindly audited the office books gratuitously since the death of Mr Ollivier. Special thanks were also due to the managing editor of the "Church News" for sympathy and publicity given to the Mission from time to time. The committee for the ensuing year was elected as follows Dean Julius, Archdeacons P. B. Haggitt and F. N. Taylor, Canon C. G. Mutter, Revs. E. E. Maiden, C. L. Mountfort, and H. Williams, Sister Kate, Mesdames WestW 7 atson, Andrew, T. Hamilton, and Blyth, Misses Farr, Hockley, and Carncross. Before asking Archbishop Julius to address the meeting, the Bishop remarked that to his Grace was due great credit for keeping alive the interest and zeal in their premier mission, that of Melanesia. Christchurcli had always been the main centre for the Melanesian Mission. Archbishop Julius said that year*, ago, Dr. Eugene Stock came to New Zealand and proposed to start a branch of the Church Mission Society. At the time there were already the Melanesian and Maori Missions and it was feared that if another was introduced, the existing missions would suffer as far as funds were concerned. However, Dr. Stock went to work and a branch of the C.M.S. was formed. It prospered, and since its foundation had sent many workers to the missions of the world. Contrary to expectations, the new mission did not _ affect the Maori and Melanesian Missions and as it progressed, so did they, particularly the Melanesian Mission. "We run in narrow ruts," asserted the speaker. "W© block this and that in order that something we are interested in may not suffer. I think it is wrong. There is no limit to mission work. We should rather stimulate a love of sacrifice and devotion to the Kingdom of God." Commenting on the financial position of the mission, Archbishop Julius said that they had passed through very bad times. Difficulties were always conl routing them • debts were always mounting up, and, he thought, would always do so. Viewing matters as they were today, the speaker was pleased to note a steady spread of the work throughout the whole of Melanesia. "I have a definite feeling in my heart that God put this work into our hands. For what purpose we can't tell. We do not know the future of the Pacific, and if we plant Christianity strongly, we cannot tell what its influence will be.

"I love the Melanesian Mission; 1 always have and always will, and I am glad" to see so many present at this meeting. The work will be carried forward as it should." That there was no lack of interest in mission work in New Zealand was tho belief of the Rev. R de Lambert, who had been connected with the'work for twenty years. There was a danger, howevei, of reaching a mission quota and then giving up. He urged that these quotas should be increased. "1 am not scolding you but am trying to show that one's greatest privilege i 3 to extend the Kingdom of God. ;> Bishop West-Watson said that while they had never reachc-d the quota in Christclmrch, they had been very near to it. He considered it a compliment to Christclmrch that they should be asked to raise the largest amount. The Bishop had been pleased that Bishopscourt had been used last year to assist the mission. He offered the place for similar functions in the future. Archdeacon Haggitt mentioned that the mission could be assisted if people interested would take the ''Southern Cross Log." Associate members would also be welcomed. Thanks were acccrded_ the speakers at the meeting. A similar motion wa* passed to Mesdames Dunnage and Blaokmnri* and to helpers from St. Michael's for providing morning tea.

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