The region with which this thesis is concerned is the Methodist Overseas Mission District of New Britain. In the large island of New Britain, this area covers the north-eastern part of the Gazelle Peninsula, and Nakanai on the north coast 150 miles west of Rabaul. The District extends from New Britain to the Duke of York Group, to New Ireland and the various islands about it, the most important of these being Lavongai or New Hanover, Djaul, and certain islands of the Namatanai Chain, notably Tabar and Lihir. These places together form the Methodist District of New Britain. (From chapter 1)