Moresby
pp. 27-28 · Read in the full issue
L.M.S. 1935 Assembly At Pt.
THE 1935 Assembly of the London Mis sionary Society in Papua was held in Port Moresby in November and December.
The officers elected were: Rev. F. J. Searle, 8.A., chairman; Rev. H. J. E. Short, F.R.G.S., secretary: Mr. Percy Chatterton, F.C.P., treasurer.
Outstanding among the many matters recorded was the re-publication of the New Testament in Motuan. This is perhaps the greatest literary event in the history of the Territory. Books also are being pub lished in the Mailu and Kerewa languages.
A printing house is expected to be in operation at Hula in 1936, under the super vision of Rev. H. J. B. Short.
A feature of the mission work during
the past two years is the number of im pressive new church buildings that have been erected. A fine gothic structure at Saroa was opened in December by Rev. R.
Lister Turner, M.A., F.R.G.S.
A book on religious problems, prepared by a committee under Rev. S. J. Rankin. 8.A., 8.D., for the help of native teachers is ready for translation into the various vernaculars.
The one sad note in the meetings was struck by the Port Moresby medical officer in his advice that the former chairman.
Rev. Geo. Moir Smith, desisted from that office owing to the state of his health.
There was a tense feeling as he led, with difficulty, the closing devotions of the sessions. Mr. Moir Smith and his wife and son, will probably leave Papua at an early date.
Mr. Harrie Percy Bentley, of Suva, Fiji, died at home at Nasese on December 7, aged 76. Arriving in Levuka from Vic toria in 1867, he lived for several years in the Rewa River district, cultivating cotton. After the cotton slump Mr. Bent ley engaged in copra planting, and later was in charge of Messrs. Morris, Hed strom Ltd.’s timber department. Three years ago he retired on pension.
Mr. R. T. Whyte, formerly manager for three years of the Samarai branch of the Bank of N.S.W. in Papua, reached Sydney by the Tanda on December 19, after a visit to the East. He has now taken up duties with the bank at Atherton, Queensland.