Melanesia

Death of Former Bishop of Melanesia

From a Special Correspondent

Tulagi, Nov. 18.

TpHERE was much sympathy expressed * by the older residents of the group last month when news was received cf the passing of Rt. Rev. Steward, formerly Bishop of Melanesia, at his home in Eng land during September. He gave 26 years of faithful service to the Solomon Islanders.

John Manwaring Steward joined the Melanesian Mission in 1902, and after being at Norfolk Island (then the M.M.’s

headquarters) for a short time came 10 8.5.1., being stationed in the Maravovo District. Pour years later he went to Ngela District, serving until 1911 when he returned to Maravovo. Later, Rev.

Steward was given charge of the Mission plantation at Taitai, where native teach ers from all over Melanesia were brought in to be trained for ordination, instead of being sent to N.I.

The success of the Melanesian clergy, as a result of the training received at Taitai, was a big factor in deciding the appointment of Rev. Steward as Bishop when Rt. Rev. Wood resigned in 1919.

He was Bishop until 1928, when he re tired owing to ill-health. Since then he had lived quietly in Sussex.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Bishop Steward in Melanesia was the founding of the Native Brotherhood, under Ini Kopuria. This fine band of educated natives is the advance-guard of the Christian church in the Solomons, and has been of vast and beneficial in fluence in the task of introducing Chris tianity to primitive islanders in outlying villages. Bishop Steward will he remem bered also for a remarkable 500-miles journey he made through the Solomon Group, calling at almost every island, in a 23ft. whale-boat.

Mr. Goodacre, Acting Collector of Cus toms at Vavau, Tonga, is at present spending six months’ leave with his wife and two children in Auckland, New Zealand.