MISSIONARY GARDEN PARTY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11507, 13 February 1903, Page 3

MISSIONARY GARDEN PARTY.

Although handicapped by the threatening nature of the weather, the Missionary Garden Party, held in Mr W. H. Wynn Williajns'a grounds yesterday afternoon, was well attended, and the financial result was satisfactory. Thtre -were arranged over tho well-trimmed lawn a number of tea tobies, where afternoon tea wae supplied, and several stalls where flowers, fruit, and sweets were offered for sale. A stall that attracted particular attention was the one at which Norfolk Island curios and specimens of native work were on sale. Not only weTe the articles valuable and interesting, but the prices were reasonable. The proceedings were opened by the Bishop of Christchuroh, after which ad<ltess€s on missionary topics were delivered by the Rev. J. F. Snee. of Cheviot, who is about to take up missionary work under the Church Missionary Association of New Zealand, and the Rev. A. J. Hopkins, of the Melaneeian Minion.

Bishop Julius said that the Htiori mission was growing dit importanc?, and ■was now cast upon the New Zealand Church, as he -thought it ought to t>3 cast. In a little while the new ship for the Melancsian mission would arrive in the colony, and ho would bo extremely thankful when 'ha liad said his last good-bye tr> the old Southern Crc&s. He had ererv reason to Ibflieve that the naw ship would be altogether suitable for the neede of the mission, for it waa a fine vessel, and built by o=e of the greatest- shipbuilding firms i:. the world. The maximum epeed of the Southern Cross, with a fair wind, was about four knots, but the new vessel, whether under sail or sttam, could travel at the rate of ten knot«. The Rev. A. J. Hopkins, of the Melanesian mission, said there would be in the new ship sufficient accommodation for the nativo boys, who had to be carried in the hold of the Southern €ross. Accommodation for ladies was also provided, and t was proposed to start ladiee , work directly the stsamnr arrived. Eleven new members had joined the staff, and work had been bet-un in the headhunting legions of the Solomon Islands. The Wooistpn Band played (selections during afternoon.