CRUISE OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 144, 18 June 1906, Page 4

CRUISE OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

The Melanesian Mission steamer SontJh em Cross arrived from Norfolk Island and Melanesia last evening, after a modi crate passage of three days from Norfolk Island. She left Auckland on the 6th of April last to visit all the Mission stations in the diocese, which amount t6 mi wards of 130. The Bishop of MeltMM was picked up at Norfolk Island on'th* 10th of April, and taken round the dicn cese. Calls were made at severil n«t places in the Northern viis Villa Levalla (New Georgia), Tamba (Clioiseul Island). These places had not .been visited ■ befoie» aid the-tmtrres weig' able. Mr. G. H. Andrews was left 4 New Georgia to take up the Mission work there, and native teachers- were landed it each of the other new places. The itip paid two visits to all the islands of euft group, once on the way north and agiia on the homeward journey. All the mi* sionaries were found in good health witH the exception of Brother Bourne, of Yμ. Bel Island, who is returning to Engkni No less than six lady missionaries wen taken to the islands thisi trip—MnuG.C, Godden to Opa (New Hebrides), Mint* Hardacre and Hanks to Raga (New Hebrides), Mrs. Adams to Vureas (Bank! Islands), and Misses Kitchen and Minuet to Gela (Solomon Islands). Th«j| were all left in excellent health mi spirits. The Solomon Islands were clear* ed on the 29th May, and Santa Gnu oa the 31st, where the Bishop remains until October next, when the Southern CroM will pick him up again and bring hia back to Auckland in November.. Vefjj wet and dirty weather was experienced it the Banks and Solomon Groups. | During the voyage the ship's cook (Jill 1 McKay) became ill with pneumonia, tad after a few (Jays' illness, died on th« 2**May. Dr. Welchmah was on board IK the time, and attended him, but nothing i could be done for him. Hβ was burled at Nore Fou (Mala). Bishop Wilson and Rev. A. Hopkins officiated at the eerfie* A With the exception of • that case, • vera good health has prevailed on board, and very little fever and ague has been metl with. ' , ■. ; '.'., : .'..'■

Vila (N.H.) was touchefl oh the 7*l inst., and as the ship was short of corf she went to Aneityum, and waited. th«* 24 hours for the Burns, Philp steamer Tambo, which supplied her witil a little. Aneityum was left on SataiflaJi 9th inst., at 10 p.m., for Norfolk letaWi,-. Strong south winds and a very heavy aej' were, met with, delaying the chip 21 hours. Norfolk Island was reached on > Wednesday afternoon, the 13th. met., Ml after taking in a quantity of timber tot fuel, the boat left again for Thursday, the 14th inst., at 6 p.m., m$J ing strong S.S.E. wind and high se»j •"¥• arriving as above. . r^ The Southern Cross leaves for the I* lands again on September 7th. . .