Melanesian Diocese Plans

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32076, 26 August 1969, Page 7

Melanesian Diocese Plans

The retrenchment in , some areas of work in the Diocese of Melanesia caused by devaluation, ; had not deterred the Bishop of Melanesia (the Rt Rev. J. W. ! Chisholm) from moving forward in the organisation of the diocese, the chairman of the Christ; church Melanesian Committee (Canon J. D. Frond) said in his dnL nual report. The report was presented to the annual meeting of the friends and supporters of the Diocese of Melanesia in the Christchurch diocese, held in the chapter room of the Christchurch 'Cathedral recently. The new cathedral at Honiara, dedicated to St Barnabas, had been consecrated this year and Selwyn College, the first co-educa-tional secondary school, would begin in February next year, said Canon Froud. A new training centre where clergy eould take courses had been started at Flu on the Island of Malalta. It was later hoped to establish similar centres on the larger islands but persons to give the necessary leadership training were short Plans were being made for the Bishop Patteson Theo-

i logical Centre, at Kohima- ' rama, Guadalcanal, for the training of ordained and lay 1 ministries in the church. , This would combine in one i place the work at present being done by St Peter’s ' Theological College, Siota. • The St Andrew’s College : for catechists and the training section for the Melan- , esian brotherhood should begin next year, he said. The final venture, the establishment of a new diocesan centre on the site of the old cathedral had yet to be undertaken, but the former nave was being used as a community centre under a committee from the Melanesian MissW' and the Metho- . dist and Boman Catholic Churches, .

Canon Froud said that two bequests received by the committee in the last year would be used for the new Selwyn College. The Christchurch diocese had also been asked to provide some equipment for the college. The committee had given $350 and at present an appeal was being made among associates for individual donations.

A gift Of $5OO had been made by the Jack and Marjorie Ferrier Charitable Trust and the Lepers’ Trust Board had increased its grant for medical work in the Diocese of Melanesia by about $3OOO, making the total grant for the year $44,000.

A gift of $5OO was received from the Fendalton parish to replace a house destroyed by a hurricane. The house was occupied by Miss A. Anderson, formerly of the Fendalton parish, who is teaching at Aobabulu School in the New Hebrides. Canon Froud said that thanks must also go to pupils of Christ’s College who supported five boys at Pawa School and to pupils of St Margaret’s. College who sup-

ported five girls from Pamua School at an annual cost of $2O.

The status of both these > schools, which were the two t senior secondary schools in i the diocese, would change next year when the new i Selwyn College was opened. • Both schools would then ■ revert to senior primary I school status. Members elected to the . committee were:—Canons J. - D. Froud (chairman), R. J. . Witty, A. C. Purchas, the : Revs I. J. Betting, B. O. . Richards, C. W. Tremewen, I J. S. Vincent, Messrs R. D. - Mountfort, A. Read, R. Chis- , nail F. Feaver, F. A. Gunn, . B. Williams, Mesdames V. M. - Butler, S. Crosier, H. J. Eaton, W. B. Grade, J. D. Thomson, D. S. Young, W. M. , Davies, M. Norris, R, D. , Mountfort, A. Read, and , Misses L. Cameron and M. , Willis.