BISHOP BADDELEY'S VISIT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 23, 12 November 1943, Page 5

BISHOP BADDELEY'S VISIT

ADDRESS ON MONDAY EVENING

WORK IfS THE SOLOMONS

With the visit of the lit. Rev. Walter Baddeley, Bishop of, Melaiw csia to Whakatane on Monday next and the fact that he will he giving a public address in the evening in the Parish Hall. We arc reminded of the magnificent work he has dono —the Solomons>. the group of tropical 'islands which 10-day figure, in the very forefront of the war in the Pacilic theatre.

Writing of him, the well known American correspondent. Harold Cooper, says: "Those who know Bishop Baddeley's record in the last war (when he. was awarded the D.S.O. and M.C. and was for a time in command of a battalion of the East SuTreys on the Western Front) will Viot. be surprised to hear that the thought of ordering the evacuation of the Mission staff at the, approach of the Japanese never crossed his mind. He was greatly lieved when the administration aho decided to remain, for as he puts it,

"L didn't want to strike the word Bishop on I of my postal address." His instructions to all the priests and lay workers in his dioeese -were "Carry on hut evade capture." He himself stayed at headquarters until lie- was almost literally "chased round the point" by the Japanese who visited, mission stations en Guadalcanal*, Florida and in an ell'ort to round up white personnel. Their efforts were wasted, for the natives, even when tied ta trees and (logged until their backs were raw pulp, refused to divnige information concerning the whereabouts of the Bishop and his lieutenants." The above is a small cameo of some of the hardships endured J.y Bishop Baddeley at the time of the Japanese occupation of Florida Island on which was situated his mission headquarters. Those who would hear further of his adventures and his lite and work nmongst the Inlanders are. invited to attend and hear his address on Monthly evening. ,