Presbyterian Mission

of New Hebrides Independent Church Formed

THE Presbyterian Church of the New Hebrides was inaugurated as an in dependent Church with a separate constitution by the synod of the Presby terian Mission of the New Hebrides on July 1, said the Rev. J. S. Murray, of Dunedin, who arrived in Auckland in August, after attending the mission synod at Tangoa, Espiritu Santo.

With Mr. Murray, who represented the New Zealand Church at the centennial celebrations of the foundation of the mission which were held in conjunction with the synod, were Sister Alice Town row, organising secretary of the Women’s Missionary Society and the Rev. J. Currie, of the Maori Synod.

Representatives of the Australian Church, missionaries and native pastors and elders from islands throughout the New Hebrides attended the celebrations.

With the Rev, W. F. Paton, of Australia, as moderator, the assembly granted the constitution for the new Church to take over the duties of the New Hebrides Mis sion. The Church would still receive support from the New Zealand and Aus tralian Churches.

The Rev. J. Graham Miller, principal of the Mission Teachers’ Training Insti tute at Tangoa. was appointed moderator designate by the assembly.

The New Guinea administration is try ing to trace the next of kin or family connections of George Franz Joseph Kir chner, a miner, who died at Wau on March 28, 1936.

Residents of Kokopo, New Britain, have now opened their new club building. It is situated in one of the loveliest parts of the district and has what is believed

to be one of the best buildings in New Guinea at present. There is a large lounge, a billiard room and bar, and ladies and men’s dressing-rooms.