ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 2

ISLAND NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

NORFOLK ISLAND, 1 June 18

The news which is of most importance from this small island is that at last; a regular steam service has been established between it and Sydney and the Melanesian Islands.

The Island line of steamers owned by Messrs Burns, Philp and Co., of Sydney, runs from Sydney,' via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands to the Bank's Islands, the New Hebrides, and on to the ill-famed Santa Cruz group. If it succeeds its vessels will then go on to the Solomon islands, where they will meet the vessels of the same line from Sydney, via, New Guinea. We learn from the Southern Cross that there has been much dysentery prevalent this year at various places, and the scholars at the new school at Siota, Florida, have suffered severely. The Rev. Br. Welchman has had a very trying- time. For three months he and the. Rev. R. P. Wilson had to fight with an epidemic of such severity that out of forty-eight (48) cases eleven died. Both the Br. and Mr Wilson were attacked with dysentery themselves, but fortunately they both recovered. It has been a very distressing lime.

On Norfolk island, in spite of exceptionally wet weather, for already nearly sixty inches of rain has fallen this year, the residents have enjoyed particularly good health. Politically, things are in an unsatisfactory state. Our first Collector of Customs and Clerk of the Magistrate's Court has had to be suspended for irregularities, and there are many complaints about other things, but probably all will come right in time.

On June the Sth, the anniversary of the landing of the Pitcairn Islanders, we had a gala day. The weather was delightful. All at the Mission, including 100 island boys and girls, were invited to a picnic by the Norfolk Islanders, and they came and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a singular spectacle, for, according 1o Melanesian custom, when they have eaten all they can, they divide all that remains and take it home in little bundles, or in handkerchiefs brought lor (he purpose. The usual cricket match was

played, Bounty against all-comers, ami the latter won by eight runs. The day ended as usual with a very well attended dance, of which there have been several lately.

There is fo he Another try to start trade with New Zealand. Two of the islanders, Mr C. Nobbs and Captain Champion, junr., have chartered a schooner, and are shortly sailing hence for Auckland with produce. The Southern Cross sails to-day for that port with about twelve passengers, including the Rev, C. W. and Mrs Browning, Miss E. Simcox, Miss Sarah Nobbs and others.