Bishop Wade

Leaves The Solomon

In his regular monthly colu "Tolala" reported in January that Bisl T. J. Wade, Roman Catholic Bishop the Solomons since the early 'thirl had resigned because of ill health, is an American and was in America medical treatment when he made reluctant decision. Bishop Wade is ■ of the most popular men in the Islar and this account of him is from year-old Mrs. Alice Bowring, of W New Guinea, where she has a g lease.

By Alice Bowring

When the Japanese were advan iug on the Solomons in early 19 and the order came from Austra , for all Europeans to leave, Bish Wade—for so many years a part those Islands—would not go.

SAID the Bishop, “How can abandon these natives after s those years teaching the brotherly love and spiritual brothe hood in God?”

The Japanese came. When tl first warship anchored, one of tl first ashore was a Japanese who Bishop Wade recognised as a ms known as “Tosh”, who had worki at various jobs around Bougainvil before the war. “Tosh” smiling greeted the Bishop.

“Well, Bishop Wade,” said “Tosh “You always told me I was too goc for the jobs I was doing!”

Did No Harm Whether owing to the good fee ing of “Tosh” or not, those fin Japanese in the Solomons did r harm to the residents who remains But at the end of 31 days, the Fon commander told Bishop Wade th£ the Japanese ship was leaving, an he gave what Bishop Wade took t be a friendly hint that it would fc wise for him to leave too. So th Bishop warned all the resident; while he and his own flock, includ ing three old and helpless nuni took to the hills. Some resident disregarded the warning, and ha good cause to be sorry about it late] Bishop Wade still remained, how ever, even after many others hai been taken off. He stayed in clos association with Jack Read, th former District Officer turnei Coastwatcher, for about 12 months

in the end a submarine was sent Bishop Wade was taken out American headquarters at mea. He was an unwilling evacuee ,i then, but the presence of such ell known man in the Solomons ild have been dangerous, because natives could unwittingly lead enemy to him or to the Coast 3hers.

Was In Noumea was stationed with the Ameri- Red Cross in Noumea when the lop arrived. I saw him almost y He was a regular visitor to All Services’ Club, where he nk tea with Madame Saxton, the teen co-manager, and myself in little “club within a club ch was our store room. There, all k was dropped and generals and s admirals and gobs, colonels t carpenters of the Army, Navy I Air Force of the Allied nations, mobbed. was in America on a visit only s ntly. The Bishop wrote to me n Boston, where he was recup ting from the illness which larently forced his resignation, I asked me to visit him there. ►f course, I did. He showed me und the “cradle of freedom”— ich is Boston—rubbed my nose in dirt for being a Britisher, and ed me would I come to Mass in morning. [e knows I am a Presbyterian, I went to church with him next rn ing_in a church where Mass celebrated at intervals all day g on the ground floor, and up- Lrs on high days and holy days 1 for VIP weddings, etc.

Special Mass

le went upstairs. There were two ests, the Bishop and myself there 1 Mass was celebrated in my lour.

Afterwards, Bishop Wade said, h a twinkle: “Mum, I was not ing to convert you. I was just ang for a safe and happy journey you, and a fulfilment of your entions.” was touched and honoured that man so eminent and so beloved ild concern himself with one so ignificant as myself.

Jut this is characteristic of Bishop ide—a broadminded pious and ntly man. If all church leaders ild emulate him, no sectarian temess would be possible. am expressing the hope of msands in the Pacific area when pray that the Bishop (affection sly known as Thomas plus, be ise of his signation Thomas + ide) will be restored to health, d permitted to return even now the field where he has laboured unselfishly and successfully for many years.