Why Bishop Vesters Was Not
p. 76 · Read in the full issue
A Delayed O.B.E.
Why Bishop Vesters Was Not In Original List.
THERE was some surprised comment when the published list of honours granted in connection with distinguished services during the Rabaul eruption showed the Administrator at the top, with a knighthood, and no mention of the names of the missionaries at Vuna pope, who gave so much help to re fugees.
When the New Year’s honours list contained an 0.8. E. for Bishop Vesters, of the Vunapope Mission, comment was renewed. Had there been a careless omission, which was remedied in the New Year’s list?
Actually, the explanation is simple.
The name of Bishop Vesters was in the original list; but it had to be omitted, because His Lordship is a Dutch sub ject, and the British decoration could not be conferred upon him without the formal permission of the Government of the Netherlands Indies. This permission came to hand a few days after the special list was published, and so the award was included in the New Year’s list.
References to the life-story of Bishop Vesters appear on page 15.
Mrs. J. H. Jones, wife of District Officer Jones, of Kavieng, New Ireland, died suddenly on December 19.