Festivities mark Baker Hall opening
■ Continued from last week
Following the speech made by the governor, the chairman of the Methodist Church of Fiji Reverend Arthur Small called upon Dr Youngman to move a vote of thanks to his excellency
Dr Youngman said among the early literature of the colony was a work written by one whom he came to know later and it was entitled “Pity Poor Fiji”.
If the writer were there that day he would say “Pity a poor fellow who came to Fiji in conditions like this” who had to say what he wished in five minutes.
He had himself travelled about 2500 miles to be with them that day and he was there as a substitute from the general conference, whose chief was now in England, to celebrate the centenary of the society, of whose fruits this was one of the richest and most splendid, and it was notable that these two events so synchronised.
While commemorating the foundation of the society 100 years ago, they that day were celebrating one of the most remarkable of the results of its generosity and energy.
He made glowing reference to the Rev Brown’s love for the work in Fiji remarking how pleased he would have been to be with you on this occasion.
The speaker said he was there to express the congratulations and appreciation of the entire Methodist Church of Australasia on the Mission’s labour and diligence and to say that the church was rejoicing with that day’s proceedings.
He dwelt at length on the value of the fine educational work being done here and said this memorial was a monument not to one missionary alone, but to all the devoted men and women who had served in the mission field in Fiji.
He, in concluding an eloquent speech, moved a hearty vote of thanks to his Excellency for his presence, the kindly and wise manner in which he had spoken to them and the good he had done for the Methodist Church (Applause).
The Hon. J.M Hedstrom in an interesting little address spoke of the notables in mission work whose portraits hung on the walls, and with whom he was acquainted in by gone years, and he very ably supported Mr Scott’s appeal for help for the funds in building the church.
A greeting from Miss Baker (now a missionary among the NSW aborigines) was also read, saying: “The God of peace be with you”.
The proceedings closed with the benediction.
The meke
The meke then took place on the rara and made a grand sight, some 4000 people being assembled.
The club and other dances by the Naitasiri, Rewa, Nakelo and Nadrau natives were first rate, large parties being in each and special attention having been clearly given to costuming.
Afternoon tea was a boon provided under the management of Mrs Porges and Miss Hay.
In the evening the natives thronged to the hall and spent several hours in a festival of song. The rain that set in after dark rather marred the night’s attendance.
The building
The new college is an imposing structure of concrete blocks, facing west, with a square sort of Norman tower in the centre and wings on either side with large bay windows.
It contains large, lofty and splendidly lighted class rooms for theological students, the teachers’ training classes, and the boys’ high school.
The whole of the concrete blocks were made on the spot by the Mission hands, the material, sand etc, being brought in from the rivers nearby.
The work was supervised by Mr Whan, then instructor at the Technical Institute, and the grand array of spandrels, arches etc in the interiorand the other woodwork (Oregon and redwood) was supervised by the Rev J.Chambers.
The roof is of Malthoid, the first to be completed in Fiji, and
Mr North, of Launceston, was the architect for the handsome structure.
The foundation stone was laid four years ago, and the building can now be as readily used for Church as for school purposes, large folding doors connecting each of the main portions.
The office will be on the first floor of the tower; above that, the clock room: and above all a look out from whence a truly magnificent view if obtained of the surrounding country.
NEXT WEEK: To be continued