A.B.M. Annual Report.

ACCORDING to the annual report of the Australian Board of Missions, reduced expenditure resulting in cur tailed activities was necessary.

The grant to the diocese of New Guinea was reduced from £12,000 to £8,400 and the remainder of the Aus tralian and South Pacific Missions suf fered a 20 per cent. reduction. In 1929 the gross income of the Board was £41,550, in 1930 £34,282, and in 1931 £29,080. The indebtedness of the Board at the end of 1931 amounted to £11,262.

The Right Rev, H. Newton, Bishop of New Guinea, said that there were 47 white missionaries in the diocese, the most that had ever been on the staff.

The native staff was being increased and was doing invaluable work as the native mind had changed completely towards Christianity since natives had been made priests and deacons.

More efficient medical work in Papua was the result of the doctor in charge also being a priest. Attendances at hos pitals exceeded 11,000 a year.