MELANESIAN MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 8

MELANESIAN MISSION.

GOOD RESPONSE TO APPEAL. | £7000 TO : £8000 EXPECTED. SOUTHERN GROSS TO SAIL. As & result of the special appeal mad© by the New Zealand Anglican Board of Missions, ihe sailing of the mission steamer Southern Cross next week has been assured. Less than a month ago it appeared that the steamer would not be able to sail, owing to a debt of some £5000 or £6000. This had been caused by extensive repairs to the vessel, the fact that last year she had to make an additional journey owing to an outbreak of influenza on board, and- to the increase in the price of stores, which had to be taken to the missionaries and teachers. Dr. A. W. Averill, Anglican. Bishop of Auckland, brought the matter before the Bench of Bishops, and pointed out that a prompt and special effort would have to be made if the Southern Cross was to be despatched. As a result, the Board of Missions decided to make a special appeal throughout New Zealand, Dr. Averill and the secretary of the board drawing up an appeal circular, which was sent to every parish in the Dominion. Upon his return from Wellington, the bishop issued a further appeal to all the clergy in the diocese. The response has been most gratifying. The receipt of contributions, amounting to £5690, has been announced by the i Board of Missions, and some returns are still to come in. Dr. Averill stated last evening that he expected the total* to reach £7000 or £8000, seeing that the Auckland diocese would raise £2000 and the Waiapu diocese £1900. The Southern Cross would therefore sail next week. Tuesday, September 20, will be the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of •Bishop Patteson, of Melanesia. Alluding to this fact. Dr. Averill stated that special services would be held in commemoration of Bishop Patteson. It was particularly gratifying that in the same week as the anniversary the Southern Cross would sail ." on her voyage to Melanesia as the result of this, large sum being subscribed in one month.

AUOKLAXtD SUPPORT OP TTJITD.

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES. Auckland parishes have given enthusiastic support to the appeal for the Melanesian Mission fund; a sale of books, Ornaments, and other articles held on Wednesday at Bishopscourt realised £110, and a flower day held yesterday in St. Paul's parish added the sum of £35 5s to the fund. Most of the money received, however, has been given in the form of straight-out donations. Retiring collections will be taken up, in aid of the fund, at St. Paul's Church to-morrow, when the services will* be of a special character in observance of the 50th anniversary of the death of Bishop Patteson, who was consecrated in old St. Paul's Church in 1861 The Rev. R. P. Wilson will preach in the morning, and the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Dr. A. W. Averill, will occupy the pulpit in the evening. Special services will also be held to-morrow in St. Matthew's Church, All.Saints', Ponsonby, Holy Trinity, Devonport, and other churches. ' The total amount realised by the recent ; appeal for assistance to the mission fund [ will be presented by Bishop Averill at a special commemorative service to be held in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, on.Tuesday evening, the occasion being the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bishop Patteson on the island of Nnkapn, in the Santa Cruz group, on September 20, 1871. The preacher will be the Rsv. Canon Williams, formerly a missioner in Melanesia. The musical portion of the service will be rendered by the combined choirs of the Auckland churches, under the direction 'of Dr. W. E. Thomas. Communion services will be held in the Cathedral in the morning, and a children's memorial service, which will be addressed by the Rev. G. K. Moor, will be held at 4.30 p.m.,