Father Bernardine.

40 Years of Active Service.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, March 25.

FATHER BERNARDINE, who enjoys a high place in the regard of Cook Islands people, leaves on March 27 for Europe, via New Zealand, on a holi day for health recuperation.

Very old residents might perhaps re member the arrival of Father Bernar dine nearly 40 years ago in the schooner “Gironde” from Tahiti. Throughout this long period of mission work in the Cook Group he has taken but one furlough (in 1912), foregoing his own holiday privileges to allow his colleagues at other islands to take leave for their health's sake.

Facing the discomforts and hazards of schooner travel. Father Bernardine has regularly visited his people at the outer islands, enjoying profound esteem.

In the absence of Judge Ayson, Dr. Elli son, as spokesman for those present at a farewell function at the Hotel Raro tonga, thanked Father Bernardine for his kindness to the sick and his example of whole-hearted unselfishness, and handed him a substantial present in the form of cash for his personal use.