NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6758, 16 July 1883, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.J The day following the departure of the whaler Alaska, 24th May, we were agreeably surprised at a visit from the Commodore in H.M.S. Nelson, on her way to Fiji. Early in the morning the vessel was observed to the westward, and by eight o'clock had arrived off the town, waking up the sleepy inhabitants by a royal salute in honour of the day. A boat was soon alongside, but as the landing was rather queer the vessel steamed rouiid to the Cascades, where the | Commander and several of the officers landed, aud spent a few hours roaming about the island, ileversl of the inhabitants also visited the huge monster during the .day, and were much gratified by tho kind treatment received from tho Commodore (who did not land) and all on board. Towards dusk, the liberty gentlemen having returned, the vessel went on her way. Commodore Erskine is very popular here, as indeed he should be, for he ia the first Commander-in-Chief for years past that has deigned to tako any notice of us. The festivities in honour of Her Majesty's birthday were multifarious. The Chief Magistrate's officially " select" dinuer party was flooded by the advent of the nautical strangers, the "select" guests having to take a back seat. However, where all were welcome, and, although short of room, no lack of good things, nothing indeed was left to mar the jollity of the occasion. The anniversary of the lauding of tho Pitcairn islanders on Norfolk Island (June Bth) was, as usual, a close holiday. The day was fine, and with the exception of our neighbours, the missionaries, the whole island was en fete. The "Bounty" business was of course repeated, officers and men mustering for duty early in the morning, attir&d nicely according to the correct naval standard. As at last year though, there was a perceptible void—tho old boatswain, Fairfax Quintal, was yet absent, ind his jovial, inimitable ceuception oi the character cannot be re-produced. The march past, however, was accomplished without a hitch, and well, the performance of the drum and fife band being really good. The great event of the day, the ciicket match, H.M.S. Bounty v. All Comers, was played with, perhaps, more spirit than science, and after a tough content was decided against the tars, much to their chagrin. The ball, in the evening, was exceptionally well attended, saints as well as Binners coming out of their tliell for the occasion—"God Save tho Queen," at halfpast eleven, sending all home, after one of the most enjoyable days of the year. A concrt of Sankey and Moody's gems, given by Mr. Driver Christian, on the 20th June, came off with great eclat. The room was beautifully and tastefully decorated, although to anyone botanically inclined, the atrocious vandalism of destroying whole palm trees for the purpose, is very grievous. The singing, however, was good, so also was the attendance. The whaling season is about to commence. Seven boats are ready for launching, and the opening day will probably be Monday, in next week. ' Although whales have been seen, it is impossible at this stage to say what the prospects will be. The occupation, however, as indeed all kinds of boating, is a favourite one with both old and young, and if only what is technically called " half a Bhow " is given, the tally will no doubt be a respectable one when tho season closes. The doctor has had a very critical case on his hands tho last few days, but I doubt if the remedies applied belong, to his pharmacopojia. A young man named Young Buffctt cut his foot a short time ago, neglected it, and on Sunday last tetanus set in. Hot pickle was at once syringed into the wound with good results, and hot tobacco poultices on the pit of the stomach allayed the spasms. Indeed, the effect of tho latter was most marked. The patient is yet iu considerable danger, but is thought to be in a fair way of doing well. The Kockton, A.S.N. Company's steamer, Sydney to Fiji, called in on Tuesday evening to land Bishop Sehvyn and three other passengers. The passage was made in three days and one hour, which will produce an average of nearly fourteen knots—no mean performance. ISo sail wai made, and Captain Saunders said he came along "easy." This vessel and her congeniter, the Cintra, both at present on tho line, will bear very favourable comparison with the "crack" boatß of your progressive Union Company. The mission vessel .Southern Cross, Captain Bongard, arrived from her first cruise among the islands on Wednesday afternoon, having been absent ten weeks and two days. Captain Bongard reports having visited all the stations of the Melanesian Mission, and with the exception of the deaths of two of the native staff, everything appears to be going on satisfactorily. The names of these two deacons, both worthy, promising young men, are Rev. Wogale, at Vava, Torres Island, and Kev. Kdwin Sakalran, at Vanua Lava, and it need hardly be said that in their death the mission has sustained a severe loss. The Rev. Mr. Comins and Mr. A. Lyster-Kaye returned in the vessel, and the latter, who remained on Santa Cruz somo little time, gives a good account from there. Mr. Penny was left at Ysabel, Mr. Palmer at Mere Lava, and Mr. Ruddock at Gudalcanar. It was confidently expected that the vessel would have gone on to Auckland for repairs to the propeller, but the bishop has seen fit to turn her head the other way, and the vessel sails this afternoon for the islands, taking the Reva. C. ISica and A. Brittain.

The Auckland schooner Orpheus, Captain Dunn, arrived from Auckland last week, with mails and cargo for tho island, and returns direct with a full cargo of oil, produce, &c. .