OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23751, 24 September 1942, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS N. C. BURKE Mrs Nora Cecilia Burke, of Worcester street (late of Papanui), whose death occurred suddenly last week, was a highly respected citizen of Christchurch. Before the funeral, which was private, Requiem Mass as celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, Papanui, by the Rev. Father P. Timoney, and other members of the clergy present were the Rev. Father J. Hanrahan (Addington), and the Rev. Father P. Cahill (St. Mary’s). , . She is survived by five daughters and six sons; —Mesdames A. Shaw (Papanui), W. Hudson (Ruatapu), W. J, Eady (Styx), M. D. Gaffaney (Greymouth), Miss Doreen Burke (Christchurch), Messrs Martin Burke (prisoner of war), Joseph and Terence Burke (Egypt), Alan Burke (R.N.Z.A.F.), and Jack and Lawrence Uurke (Christchurch),

TRAVEL CLUB

The Rev. A. H. Voyce, a New Zealander, who for the last 16 years has been engaged on mission work in the Solomon islands, was the speaker at the Canterbury (New Zealand) Travel Club’s reception at Ballantynes yesterday morning. when he described life on Bougainville Island, where he was stationed.

The island the largest in the Solom6n group, was. he explained, part of, the mandated territory of New Guinea, and was administered by Australia. It was a beautiful - island of contrasts, with coral reefs, snow-capped mountains, and active volcanoes; it was forest-clad to the seashore: it was the home of gaily-colouted fish and mandevouring crocodiles, of interesting birds, largo and small, of lovely butterflies, and mosquitoes that carried the germs of malaria, of lizards, scorpions, and snakes. It had a population of 60.000 comparatively intelligent natives, much sought-after as house boys. Mr Voyce said that tolvgamy was common and women would often commit suicide by hanging for trivial reasons. He described some customs of the people, one of the most interesting being the initiation of youth into manhood. He thought the natives would be loyal to the Europeans, though some features of Australian administration were not such to command resnect or admiration. He mentioned specially an annual tax of 10s on all males over 16 years old and the forced labour, without pay. on roads and bridges of native men and sometimes of women and children. Before the address trios were sung by Mesdames W. D. Ledsham, Richard Broadbelt. and Cyril Haase, with Mrs J. C. Cullman as accompanist. Mrs Clarice Shaw and Mrs Malcolm Gray were hostesses.

MELANESIAN MISSION

At Church House, yesterday afternoon. Archbishop West-Watspn presided at the annual meeting of the supporters of the Melanesian Mission. There was a very large attendance. The forty-fourth annual report dealt with the effects of the Japanese Invasion of the Melanesian Islands and gave latest reports of the whereabouts Of the missionaries. ■ - ■. The- statement "Of accounts:.’ showed , that the total receipts this, year amounted to £1683 Is 6d. against £1904 8s 6d last year, when a legacy of £IOO had been received. The associates* subscriptions and donations this year showed an Increase of £2l on last year’s figures. Canon F. B. Redgrave, in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, said that although the activities of the mission had necessarily been curtailed, he hoped that supporters would continue to pay their subscriptions, so that a reserve fund might be built up. . ■ ■ ■ Mrs A. Mason, who, with her late husband, served for nearly 30 years in Melanesia, gave an address on her husband’s missionary work on Malaita and described the leprosarium on the island, and Mr Peter Garrlty spoke of the work in the schools in the New Hebrides. The following, who were given power to add to their number, were elected to the committee:—The Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev. A. K. Warren. Canon Redgrave, Canon S. Parr, the Rev. I. L. Richards, Deaconess Heni Park, Mesdames B. 6. Fox, and A. C. Besant, Misses M. Hurse, and L. Cameron (secretary).