Uva's New Cathedral

Grows Upon Its Hill

SUVA, Sept. 20.

LTHOUGH it has had all the L normal hold-ups in the supply of building materials, the new iglican cathedral in Suva is now pidly taking shape.

Next operation is the putting on the roof and, according to the iditions of the country, a feast r the workmen was held this ek to celebrate the event—which rhaps could be said to indicate b success of the apneal for the ilding fund. In more “advanced” mtries, by the time the roof is idy to go on, the owner is look ; somewhere for a second mort and is not interested in the dal habits of his plutocratic rkmen. however, although the building id appeal has been successful. i amount received is still over 000 below the £IQOOO target, and ; task of raising this amount falls istly on the comparatively small glican community of Fiji. particularly valiant effort is ng made by Mrs. Kempthorne, e of the Bishon in Polynesia, o rims a second-hand clothes .11 in Suva markets. Her stock trade she gathers from friends far afield as Honolulu and the ited States.

Fhe Anglican Church has few

missionary activities in Fiji and Polynesia and is thereby financially handicapped. But the new cathed ral will be a Suva landmark and an object for civic pride and is there fore also the business of everyone who is not necessarily a member the church.

It is expected that this first stage of the building will be completed by Easter and that it might be far enough advanced when the Arch bishop of York arrives here at the end of the year for some ceremony to be held there.

IN the meantime, farther down the hill, the small wooden Pro- Cathedral continues to serve the community as it has done for

photograph taken of the workmen outside the building on September 14. In front [?]w, third from left, is Mr. W. Wise, who has given technical advice. Next him is [?]e Rev. H. W. Figgess, Rector in Suva. The Bishop in Polynesia, the Rt. Rev. L. S. [?]empthorne, is shown in dark coat, and next to him is Dr. R. H. Beattie, Secretary of the Chapter.

65 years. A fussy little grandmother kind of a building, she seems to look up at the new cathedral and say, slightly disapproving, ‘‘Well, I was considered elegant in my day— and I cost only £600.” _. , Since then a tower has been

steel** stays "Sd Tady

together. She is the enduring kind —like most pioneers in Fiji—and even when the new cathedral is functioning her useful life will not be over. Part will be removed out to Suva Point to carry on the good work there.

A DANCE and “social evening” was held in the Parish Hall, on September 18, to celebrate the 65th birthday of the church—it was established in Suva just four

years after the transfer of the capital from Levuka.

Church members came from every community European, Chinese, Fijian and Indian —and under the direction of the indefatigable Charles Stinson and his sister, Mrs.

Lester, all thoroughly enjoyed dancing and singing together.—JT.