NEW HEBRIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 245, 18 October 1886, Page 3

NEW HEBRIDES.

Some interesting information respecting New Hebrides affairs was read at the evening service at Sr. James's Church yesterday from a letter written by Mr Watt, Missionary on the island of Samoa. The annual meeting of the Synod took place there on June 29th, when the Rev. Mr Paton gave an account of his visit to the various islands of the fjroup, His report was considered to bo of a moat encouraging nature, many of this: natives have learned to read, and considerable progross has been made in the spread of the fjospel. Messrs Leggefc and Morton, two missionaries, aro expected to arrive at New Hebrides to settle there shortly, and a third missionary was to have left Home in June. Inquiries have been made with the view of procuring a vessel larger than the DaysDring, Hhe being too small to overtake the"work now m view. It was found that the cost of a steamer would annually amount to £5,000, and it was decided thac, as this expenditure would not be justified, a larger sailing vessel than the Dayspring should be procured, and an offort made to have occasional visit? from some steam veaeol. After making a ra quest to tho churches to put forth a special effort towards raising tho necesBary funds for the work tho writer procoeded to state that considerable uneasiness bad been caused by tho visit of French ships of war which was believed to be the precursor of annexation, which, he belipved, would greatly increase their difficulties in respect of mis ionary works As showing tho rovongoful spirit still entertained by some of the natives, it was mentioned that a young native had been shot in the arm in punished for wrong done by another man beloaging to the same tribe. Fortunately his injuries did nofcprovo fatal. An oiler made by tho National Society of Scotland to print tho Now Toutamont in one of their language? has been accopted for Tauna.