MISSIONARY WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1936, Page 9

MISSIONARY WORK

L.M.S. IN SAMOA

VISIT TO MALUA INSTITUTE

(Special to Press Association.) (Received July 16, 9.40 a.m.)

APIA, July 14.

Two interesting and instructive hours were spent by the Government delegates in an inspection of the London Missionary Society's institute at Malua, which is 12 miles along the coast from Apia.

The London Missionary Society is a Protestant mission founded in 1796 in London. The Rev. John Williams, the first missionary in Samoa, was sent out by the society, and arrived in the group in 1830. The Malua Institute was founded in 1844. It is an epitome of Samoan history, and in some ways the most important place in the territory. Primarily its object was religious instruction, but in its rapid development it has embraced secular education and the teaching of handicrafts. Its fruits are to be seen today in every Samoan village, -where a graduate from Malua presides in both church and school. In its extensive grounds- are technical schools and colleges with orderly villages of student dwellings, and an up-to-date printing office conducted entirely by Samoans under European supervision is not the least interesting feature.

A demonstration of various native customs —handiwork, firemaking, and the celebrated kava-drinking ceremony —was given in honour of the official party from New Zealand.

This afternoon, the delegates had a private meeting with the Hons. A. G. Smyth and I. H. Carruthers.