CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 3

CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE

CHAPLAIN-CAPTAIN M'LEAN.

WELLINGTON, September 30. The Rev. W. M'Lean, minister of the Presbyterian charge at Remuera (Auckland), and a chaplain-captain in the New Zealand Defence Forces, has been appointed to succeed the Chaplain-major W. Grant, killed- Uf action at tjb| Dardanelles. Mr M‘Lean, who has been Some little time at Remuera, was formerly an enthusiastic Volunteer, working his way up m the noncommissioned ranks to be colour-sergeant. He was then offered a commission, but declined it, preferring to remain at work among the men. When the appointment of a chaplain to the hospital ship Maheno was under consideration Mr JVPLean received a • unanimous recommendation from the Auckland churches, but Chaplain-major Dutton received the appointment by virtue of seniority. Mr M'Lean, who is about 35 years of ago, was among the first men in New Zealand to offer his services on the outbreak of war, but was induced to remain in his charge. He was very keen, however, on getting to the front, and;, in view of his many good qualities and special capabilities for the position of chaplain, the Board of Appointment has felt it qould not do better than send him to fill the gap caused by Chaplain-major Grant’s untimely, though heroic, death in service for others. Mr M‘Lean will resign his charge (one of the most promising of the Auckland suburban charges) in order to answer what he feels to be a call to higher service.