Colours For Rarotonga

Boys' Brigade

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Apr. 16.

COMMENCING with the nucleus of one company in February, 1935, the Rarotonga Boys’ Brigade has succeeded far beyond the expectations of its founder, Rev. R. L. Challis, of the Lon don Missionary Society. The Brigade’s present strength is five companies, con sisting of 18 officers and 250 members.

Unique in the annals of the Cook Islands was the open-air church service

held on Sunday, March 27, in the grounds of the L.M.S., when two colour flags donated by the Resident Commis sioner (Mr. S. J. Smith) and Judge H. F.

Ayson (former Commissioner) were handed over to the Brigade. Members turned out in full force a week earlier to bid farewell to their Captain (Rev.

Challis), who sailed by the April “Matua” for England on six months’ furlough. The function was in the form of a sports display, witnessed by the R.C., Rev. Challis and many European guests.

Rev. P. J. Thomas, of the Australian Inland Mission at Thursday Island, married Sister Drydale, formerly of the Torres Strait Hospital, on April 16. Mr.

Thomas expects to pay a visit to Papua in August.

Mr. C. Jennings, manager of Burns Philp (South Sea) Co’s branch at Niue Island, Central Pacific, returned home after furlough in New Zealand by the April “Maui Pomare”. He was accom panied by his wife and family.

Mr. S. A. Greenland, Chief Inspector in the Papuan Native Affairs Depart ment, is now en route to Europe to spend several months’ leave. He sailed from Port Moresby by the April “Swartenhondt”.

The colour-bearers of the Rarotonga Boys’

Brigade, with their new flags.