Bishop Revisits Rabaul
p. 44 · Read in the full issue
The US Department of Interior has acquired three Sa-16 Albatross amphibians to provide air services within the Trust Territory of Micro nesia, not already covered under contract by Trans-Ocean Airways.
The Albatross aircraft is said to be faster and more efficient in opera tion than the Catalinas which they replace.
Old residents of New Guinea will be happy to hear that Bishop Vesters, MSC, OBE, is still hale and hearty at 78. In October he was on a visit to the Territory to celebrate with his former co-workers, the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination.
He was born in Holland, was educated in local schools and later in France, Salzburg-, Rome and Lorain University.
He worked as a missionary in the Philippine Islands 1911-1915, and later in Brazil 1915-1930. He was then appointed Prefect Apostolic of the Celebes Mission. He relinquished this post only to become Bishop of Rabaul (Catholic Mission, Vunapope) in 1933. His tour of duty in TNG lasted until 1938 when he was forced to resign owing to ill health.
A gifted organiser and administrator, he played an important part in extending the work of the Mission. In 1937 Bishop Vesters was awarded the OBE for his relief work on the occasion of the Rabaul eruption. He is now living in retirement at Mary’s Mount, Melbourne, where this photograph of the Bishop was taken.