PROGRESS IN MELANESIA

Press, Volume C, Issue 29458, 9 March 1961, Page 5

PROGRESS IN MELANESIA

Address By Bishop

“During the 25 years that I have been in Melanesia I have seen great changes and the islands are in part becoming islands of the Lord.” said the Bishop of Melanesia (the Rt. Rev. A. T. Hill) in his address at the Bishop Patteson Centenary Missionary Rally in the Christchurch Cathedral. “There is much to be done, however, and there are roughly 15,000 who are still heathens. Thanks to earlier pioneers, Bishop Patteson and those with him, the seed was sown and that seed is bearing fruit.” he said. “Today. 100 years after the consecration of Bishop Patteson, we have 100 clergymen. of whom 83 are priests of the church. “At the General Synod, I was given authority to have consecrated an assistant bishop of bishops, and these will be Melanesians.”

Speaking on education in Melanesia. Bishop Hill said that at each village there was a kindergarten and in each district there was a school, run by Melanesians, where English was taught. “From here they go on to junior and senior schools and now you will find educated men and women holding positions of responsibility. “At the hospitals girls are trained for four years and then they go out as nurses to the islands. “As a result of their ministry, infant mortality has dropped considerably,” said Bishop Hill.

Licences Transferred.— The Lyttelton Licensing Committee yesterday approved the following transfers of licences:—Cave Rock Hotel. Sumner. James Clarke Muir to George Harry Allington: Albion Hotel. Lyttelton, lan Harrison Johnston to Eric Charles Orr; Madeira Hotel. Akaroa. John Orton Smith to Eric Cyril Hill.