FROM ITALY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 64, 13 April 1943, Page 5

FROM ITALY

PADRE KEITH WATSON WRITES

LIFE IN P.O.W. CAMP

In a letter received from Piulre Keith Watson, formerly of Whakatane, who is a. prisoner of war in Italy, there Is the following interesting news. "I am at a new camp now containing all South African and New Zealand officers and • other ranks. There are eight padres here —I am the only New Zealand one. On December 8, 1942, the four Presbyterian chaplains and the one Presbyterian, elder met and. duly const-H tuted a Presbyterian Kirk Session —Moderator, the Rev. J. Birnic Allen, M.A., C.F. (Parish, Gourocli Old); Session Clerk, Captain C. A* Ferguson, N.Z.E.F. (Ellcrslie, Auckland); the Rev. G. P. "Wiles, C.F,, U.D.F. (Parish, Alice and Fort Beaufort, Cape Prince, S.A.); the Rev. W. G. Burns, M.A., 8.D., C.F. (Junior Minister Less Mahagow Old); and myself. Allen and Burns are Church of. Scotland. Amongst, other business the Kirk Session decided on recommendation to co-opt to its membership three South African officers and. one New Zealand officer, Major S. Hanton of St. Andrew's, Wanganui. The ordination of the above was arranged for in a special diet of worship on January 3, 1943. "We have a Free Church service on "Sunday mornings and a united service at night. We intend holding communion services once a quarter. A catechumen's class is- being formed. On Wednesday evenings religious. discussion group meetings are held, and we have two periods a week incorporated in the education syllabus, at which lectures on the Bible are given. "This is a big camj} and well 1 run. Lectures and classes embrace an extensive syllabus. There is a wealth of talent here. Some of the plays produced and some of the concerts are excellent. Sport, including baseball, basketball and teniquoits, i.« popular. "I hope the Campaign for Christian Order is going well. Greetings and best wishes to the Church-''