MISSION SHIP DELAYED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 4

MISSION SHIP DELAYED

I DUE WANGANUI SATURDAY \OYAGE FROM MELANESIA 1 i Having been delayed on her voy- , age, the Melanesian Mission ship , Southern Cross will now arrive at . Wanganui on Saturday morning in- . stead of to-morrow. If the tide is [ satisfactory the ship will berth at the Town Wharf, otherwise at Castiecliff. • It will be open all day for inspection by the public, but children must be ■ accompanied by adults. On board will be the Rev. P G I Williams and the Rev. Ben Bani. The i‘latter is a native minister. Accom.lpanying the party are two Melanesian students. Both of the ministers state that they are willing to preach on Sunday and the students are prepared to lecture at any meeting. The ship annually returns to Auckland for refitting, at the same time visiting various New Zealand ports to stimulate interest in missionary work. She is the seventh of her line. She is very similar to the Southern Cross VI., which was wrecked near the New Hebrides on her maiden voyage to the islands, being 110 ft. overall, 28ft. beam and 12ft. 6in. depth, an;. is powered with two Gardner Diesel engines. She was built by Cammell. i_,aird and Company in 1933. She is commanded by Captain R. A. Williams, with Mr. H. Jones chief officer, and Mr. W. Hulbert chief engineer. In addition to her olficers, a native crew of 13 is carried. The various Wanganui parishes are combining to supply afternoon tea on board to the visitors, and this will be served at 2.30 p.m.