Methodist mission losses

In Solomons

Missions In the British Solomon Islandsconducted by the New Zealand Methodist Church lost property worth £92,000, and one missionary (Rev.

D. C. Alley) as a result of the Japanese invasion, according to a statement made on January 27, at the Mission’s annual meeting in Auckland, by the Rev. A. H.

Scriven. Nearly all the Mission buildings, all the boats and some of the plantations, were destroyed.

The Mission faces a heavy task in re habilitation; but it was believed now that some war damage compensation will be available * Mr - Scriven said that a director of edu catlon had been appointed to the British Sol ornons, and this was the first step on the P arfc of f the Go Y^n m ent to assume a measure of responsibility for the educa tion of the native people. Hitherto most the educational work has been done b Y the missionary societies. The Govern ment had also established an agricultural training centre at Hu, 15 miles from the new capital, Honiara, on Guadalcanal.

The centre occupied 5000 acres, but was at present in the very initial stage of its development. As the future of the vast majority of the natives was on the land Mr. Scriven considered this new nroiect to be on the right lines but he pointed out ?ha? 'were the Products the natives were trained to th project would lead to a dead