WAR IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 5

WAR IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Some facts with regard to the outbreak of war in the New Hebrides, are quoted by the Auckland Star from a letter from Mra Watt, wife of a Preabyteiian missionary at Tanna, under dafce of November 15th. After giving details of ordinary mission work and of a somewhat, perilous boab passage between two of the mission stations, she writes hopeful words. Some who had turned their back upon the church and school have resumed attendance, and manifested a better attitude towards the Gospel, and a better demeanour towards the missionary and his wife. This state of things had been somewhat marred, however, by the breaking out afresh of war in bhe near neighbourhood. "An old veberan heathen," writes Mrs Watt, "had been shot in the back as he was returning home from a neighbouring village ; his body lay all night where he fell, bub next day his friends went, earned hia body home, and buried it. A few hours after this tragedy was enacted hia friends Bought revenge, and went stealthily to the village of another tribe, but their approach having been discovered by a young woman, her life must go. Poor'lassie ! all unsuspecting she had gone a few yards from her own door to cut some firewood, when the mean assassins aimed ab her. There were three who fired —two missed, the third fired the fatal shot. This poor girl was one of the most useful mission girls—a good scholar, and a help iv the work of ths school. One of her last acta was reading a portion of the New Testament just before going for the firewood. The war thus occasioned has led to the practical suspension of the work where it rages. The school has been closed, and the teacher gone to the head station; he returns, however, on the Sabbath and conducts service."