in New Guinea, arrived by the German steamer Oder on Sunday. He will conduct a six-week tour in South Australia before proceeding to New Guinea with his wife. Pastor Schmutterer has spent 8 years at the mission previously but forced to abandon the work three years ago owing to ill-health During World War II all missionaries left the area, and many mission stations, churches, schools and hospitals were damaged. In spite of this, the indigenous church leaders and local Christians stood firm in the work of the church. After the war the Lutheran churches in Australia and North America were asked to help reconstruct the church in Papua New Guinea, working together as the Lutheran Mission New Guinea. In 1956 expatriate missionaries and indigenous church leaders gathered and formed the present indigenous church. At the time of its founding the church was called Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea and its founding bishop was an expatriate missionary from the American Lutheran Church. The first indigenous bishop was elected in 1973. In 1975, on the eve of the country's independence, the name of the church was changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. In 1977 the church was officially declared autonomous and another local Lutheran church organised by the Australian Lutheran Mission joined with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. World War II Between April 1943 and July 1943, the Allied Geographical Section of South West Pacific Area (command) conducted reconnaissance after the Japanese invasion. The Terrain Handbook states at page 18; Lutheran Mission 2 miles NE of Lae. Staff now in Australia. Was equipped with a radio telephone, but equipment removed by administration. Large airdrome with repair workshops 1 mile to NE. Sawmill (with tractor) 2 miles to north. Plantation to north or airdrome. Plantation. 3 miles NE. 300 acres coconuts, also sawmill to north of plantation. House, trade, store, copra store. Owned by Lutheran mission Photograph 14 (Photo 13 depicts teachers house (see workshop photo), church, native school, mission house)Malahang Airfield is three miles NE of Lae. 600 x 90 yds wide. Runs NW/SE (131 degrees).Extensions possible at present suitable for limited types of aircraft only. There were two hangars on NE edge of clearing. A clearing 80 x 200 yds has been made at the NW end. Agriculture In 1900 the Neuendettelsau Mission Society imported cattle from Australia to the mission stations at Malahang