MISSION VESSEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23157, 1 October 1938, Page 20

MISSION VESSEL

DISMISSAL SERVICE CEREMONY AT THE WHARF SOUTHERN CROSS LEAVES Much enthusiasm among a large number of clergy and laity marked the departure shortly before mid-day yesterday of the Melanesian Mission steamer Southern Cross, which left for the New Hebrides after spending a month at Auckland for survey and overhaul. Tho Bishop of Melanesia, the Right Rev. W. H., Baddeley, who travelled with the ves"sel, conducted a dismissal service from the- deck shortly before departure. TliOj ship's staff and crew gathered around the 1 bishop and the clergy and laity on the wharf joined in the prayers arid hymn. Bishop's (Appreciation Bishop Baddeley expressed his thanks and appreciation to those persons who had assistod tho mission during tho ship's stay at Auckland. Canon C. A. B. Watson, secretary of the Diocesan Missions Committee, Canon W. W. Averill, Major H. S. Robinson, of Sydney, general secretary of the Melanesian Mission, and the Rev. L. E. Cartridge, secretary of the New Zealand auxiliary committee of the mission, were among those who bade tho ship farewell. Earlier in the morning the Auckland diocesan secretary, Archdeacon W. J. Simkin, conducted a farewell Communion service in the ship's chapel. This was attended by members of the staff and crew. Long Absence From Auckland On board when the ship left were three young men who have volunteered for service with the mission. They are Mr. W. A. Holloway, an Englishman who has lived in New Zealand for some time, and Messrs. D. H. and 1. B. Armitage, both of Auckland. There were, also nine native Melanesian missionaries, including Edmund Kiva\ school daptain of the Pawa School and Ugi, in the Solomons, Stephen Sopi, a senior pupil, who had been on holiday, Patteson Gatu, a mission teacher, who has just completed a course of study at the Government college at Fiji, and two native priests. The Southern Cross will not re- , visit Auckland until 1940, when" it is proposed that she should be here foi the centennial.