MELANESIAN MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21225, 4 July 1932, Page 11

MELANESIAN MISSION.

APPOINTMENT OF BISHOP.

DECISION THIS WEEK. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. A new bishop of the missionary diocese of Melanesia, to succeed the Rt. Rev. F. M. Molyneux, who recently resigned, is to be appointed on Wednesday at a special meeting of the bishops of New Zealand at Wellington. In a pastoral letter published in the Auckland Church Gazette, the Primate, Archbishop Averill, explains the procedure in connection with the appointment. He writes: "The staff of the mission in the Islands has the privilege of recommending to the bishops of the province a man to fill the vacancy, and to send a deputation to confer with the bishops. The recommendation has been made and the Rev. Dr. Fox and the Rev. A. E. Teall will confer with the bishops on July 6. Tha bishops of the province will, of course, give earnest heed to the recommendations of the Melanesian staff, but cannot and will not divest itself of its right and responsibility to choose whomsoever they may think fit. The appointment at the present juncture is a very serious responsibility and therefore I would ask all friends of Melanesia and all men and women of goodwill to pray earnestly that the bishops may be guided aright in the decision which they have to make." Since the establishment of the mission by Bishop Selwyn in 1849, Melanesia has had six diocesan bishops, the first of whom, the martyr, Bishop J. C. Patteson, held office from 1861 until his death in 1871. Bishop Molyneux, who resigned a few months ago owing to ill-heaith, was appointed bishop in 1928. He was assist-ant-bishop from 1925 to 1923. The diocese is at present in charge of the Rt. Rev. J. H. Dickinson, the assistant-bishop, who was consecrated in Wellington on August 30, 1931.