MISSION VESSELS.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 11

MISSION VESSELS.

NEW SOUTHERN CROSS SAILING THIS MONTH. AUXILIARY BOUGHT IN" SYDNEY. Advice has T>een received by the Melanesion Mission' Board in Auckland that the new Southern Cross VII. will sail from Liverpool on September 16 and will go direct to her station in the Islands. When the Southern Cross, which was recently dismantled in Auckland, was taken off the mission service, it was the intention of the mission to obtain two vessels, one for the northern circuit in the Islands and one for the southern. It was understood that New Zealand would provide one of the vessels. Just at the time, when the board was about to make preparations to get two schooners, word came from England that friends of the mission there would build, pay for and deliver the larger vessel. The Southern .Cross VI. was the ship, and was wrecked on her maiden voyage on Aneityum Island. With regard to provision of the smaller vessel required for Southern Melanesia —New Hebrides, Banks and Torres Islands—delays took place on account of the appointment of a new bishop. In the meantime endeavours had been made to charter a vessel, but when Bishop Baddeley was in Sydney two or three months ago he found a suitable vessel, which he arranged to purchase after consultation with the mission staff in Southern Melanesia. It is an auxiliary ketch, 45 feet long, with Diesel engine of 25 horse-power, and its cost •will not exceed £1700. It will be ready within two or three months.