Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/413

MISSION SHIP, GEIJTEKAL SUPEKIXTENDENT, ETC. 383 purpose well. After some years a separate establishment was started for the girls ; the Rev. R. B. Lyth became Governor of the College ; and Mr. Fletcher entered the regular Circuit work at Auckland, while his brother, Mr. William Fletcher, B. A., of Taunton, became Principal, and Mr. William Watkin, the son of a Missionary, Tutor. In 1856 Mr. W. Fletcher left New Zealand to go as a Missionary to Fiji, his sister having become the wife of the Rev. John Polglase in that District. Since then Mr. Watkin has also been received into the Ministry by the Australian Conference. The school has more than answered the best hopes of its founders, and has proved an invaluable part of the Mission machinery. But now that Auckland has ceased to be the head-quarters, the importance of the College on its original footing no longer exists. Equitable arrange- ments have been made for the satisfaction of the shareholders, and it has at last been resolved that the school shall continue as an educational establishment for the New Zealand District, the premises being pur- chased by the proceeds of the sale of the Mission-house, etc. Justice requires that a tribute of gratitude should here be paid to the Rev. Thomas Buddie, Chairman of the Auckland District. Though not appointed to the work, yet, being resident Minister and well quali- fied, he was most helpful to Mr, Lawry, and undertook the main man- agement for several years of the goods, orders, and accounts for all the Missions and Missionaries. He laboriously helped forward everything connected with the College, and had most to do with the affairs of the " John Wesley." The various and numerous demands from each Mis- sion family he carefully attended to. The accounts were remarkably clear and correct under his management. All this of course greatly increased Mr. Buddie's labours in his Circuit ; yet the disinterested, prompt, friendly, and cheerful manner in which he ever attended to the wants of the South Sea Missions and Missionaries, lefl every one free to request any favour or work from him.