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On the morning of the 23rd August at 7.30 we boarded the "Netherbay" provided and provisioned in a princely way by Messrs. H. Earle & Sons of Fogo. I cannot help thinking that if all who are able would send the Bishop a cheque equivalent to the individual outlay of prominent Churchmen to forward the Bishop's movements on this visitation, the Diocese would not be without a suitable boat for his accommodation many days longer. There is an urgent need for a Diocesan Church Ship; for there have been times in the last four Years when the accommodation was neither good nor safe.
We said good bye to Mr. Hiscock and. Mr. Davies (who had journeyed with us from Joe Batt's Arm) landed Mr. and Mrs. Earle at Change Islands, and then shaped our course for Botwood The distance from Fogo is about 65 miles and with the exception of the first 15 miles a:nd the last ten, the whole run is amongst sheltering and well wooded islands. The wind was ahead, and quite fresh, and the tide was now in our favour and then out of the Bay. As a consequence of these adverse conditions we were not able to reach our objective till midnight. The candidates had gathered and dispersed and most of the people were in bed. However some alert men of Fogo knew the throb of the Netherbay's engines, and very kindly brought a lantern, shouldered our luggage, and guided us to Mrs. Campbell's comfortable hotel.
Botwood is the shipping port of the A. N. D. Co. of Grand Falls, and is connected with the paper town by a privately owned branch railway about 12 miles long.
It is also the home of Major Cotton's aeroplanes which we were glad to have the privilege of visiting. But we were not asked to fly.
The general depression could be felt at Botwood. At the time of our visit only about 60 men were on regular pay. Most of the labouring men were on half time and receiving 22 cents an hour.
In Church matters a steady advance is evident A suitable Schoolroom has been erected, and the original School Chapel is now used only for Church purposes. The building has always been kept in good repair. There is a new altar. The Chancel is well carpeted. There is a new font. Everything looked bright and fresh. Potted house plants, electric lights, and a full Church helped to make everything quite alright. A new Rectory is well on the, way to completion on the ground opposite the church. At Botwood there is a very fine obelisk of native grey granite, erected by the people of Botwood and the neighbourhood to perpetuate the memory of the men from the district who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919. Twenty names of all ranks are engraved on the monument which is 15 feet high and quite 3 feet at the base. It stands in a central situation on the upper side of the park.
We were the guests of the teachers and children of the Sunday School at their annual picnic on the afternoon of our visit. '
The Confirmation Service was at night when a goodly number of both sexes
embraced the opportunity. At 9:30 a m of the next day we were conveyed in
the private car of the. A. N. D. Co., thoughtfully arranged for the Bishop's
comfort, to Grand Falls.
On the way up, the train delayed half an hour to give the
Bishop an opportunity to inspect the new Church at Bishop's Falls. This building
is from a design of the Rev W. Budgen, and is 45 feet by 18. At present the
tower and spire seem out of proportion to the size of the building, but when the
trees, fir, spruce, pine and birch by which the Church is surrounded grow to
their full height it will be proved to be alright. I am not in love with the apses
for small churches But I do love to see a well timbered church
Our visit to Grand Falls was a very pleasant one, but it was very short We arrived in good time and were met by the Rector and a couple of motor cars. The Bishop was the guest of Mr and Mrs. West, and Mr. Pitcher and the Chaplain of Mr. and Mrs. Berteau. Grand Falls paper mills were working at full power and giving steady employment to 1,600 men. Many men were also employed on the building of a carriage road to Botwood. In the afternoon we motored over about 4 miles of this road which had been completed at a cost of $4,000 per mile.
House building and farm labour accounted for the employment of many others, and helped us to appreciate all that Grand Falls has meant to the country since its happy inception. May it continue to prosper.
A new organ, built by Casavant Freres Ltd, at a cost of $2,000, a chapel 28 ft by 14, and an addition to the Vestry 14 ft. by 10 will give an indication of the development of that side of Grand Falls life and activity which centres in the Church.
The ladies of the choir are now in uniform. Forty-six were confirmed in the presence of a large congregation. And then, after a pleasant visit to the Bishop's hostess, where we were glad to renew acquaintance with Rev. W. W. Clarkson of Sydney Mines, and other friends, we were motored to the station. On Saturday the Bishop reached the City, and the Chaplain returned to his parish at Bonavista on the same day, with heartfelt thanks to, God for all His mercies.
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