MRS. RUDOLPH SPROTT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 189, 9 May 1934, Page 5

MRS. RUDOLPH SPROTT

Solomon Islands Missioner To most New Zealanders the name of the Melanesian Mission is as familiar as that of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. At many Anglican schools regular collections are taken up among the pupils in aid of its funds, and talks tire given in explanation of its aims. Many districts hold yearly sales of work, the outcome of months of industry among church workers, and we hear of dances too. got up with the object of augment-. Ing its funds. We have the Melanesian Mission always with us. part of our official life. But when, unexpectedly, one is introduced to a stranger “from the Solomon Islands” whose work lies entirely among the natives there, the point of view is different, and the attention is focused on the more personal aspect of the mission. It becomes a reality. ' Story of Adventure. Talking to Mrs. Rudolph Sprott yesterday morning at Bishopscourt, where she is staying, a “Dominion” representative discovered a story of adventure behind her practical description of “The Islands,” that put the Melanesian Mission in the forefront of the list of those movements requiring of its workers heroism and courage of a high order, strength of purpose, and buinan understanding. Mrs. Sprott has been in the Solomon Islands since 1916. working for the Melanesian Mission. When she went first there were no buildings on the mission island in Meringue Lagoon, which is on the island of Bugotu. In 1931, through a gift, from the Litchfield branch of the Mothers’ Union, a house was built. Now there are a church, a school, dispensary and hospital, teachers’ house, workmen’s house, and native house; a regular village, with paths made, and even a vegetable garden being experimented with. All lias been accomplished with native labour. The houses are built on to the ground because of storms and earthquakes, and made of the leaves of the sago palm These palms yield no sago because of the poor soil, but are grown for their foliage, which is used for thatching. The leaves are doubled round and sewn to reeds, and the strips then fastened with their edges overlapping. The reeds are split and their fibres used for threads, as the Maoris use 'flax. There are a number of different islands, with a missioner on each. Siote. where headquarters are situated, is 120 miles from Mrs. Sprott’s island. Each island has its own language, its own customs, and its own food. There are over 20 different languages spoken in the diocese of Melanesia, which makes it necessary for each branch of the mis.'Zm to be able to deal with a different aspect of native life and to carry on their work apart from the others Life at the Mission. On the island of Bugotu there are between 4000 and 5000 native inhabitants, but even these are divided into two almost distinct races. The salt-water p’eople have one language, the bushpeople another. “They are altering very much now that all the people are Christians,” said Mrs. Sprott, “all the head-hunting and the turmoil is over, and the people are living peaceably together. “Bugotu lias only the one mission, and all the-inhabitants have been baptised into the Anglican Church; a very unusual achievement.” Mrs. Sprott was married In 1919. Her husband, who was a nephew of the Bishop of Wellington, died in 1924. and she carried on alone for 7 or 8 years. She was the only white person on the island; Sometimes a passing vessel called; she had good native assistance, and “managed very well.” In 1932 an assistant missioner was sent out, who is in charge now, while Mrs. Sprott is in New Zealand. “The native men can be got to work, but the women,” continued Mrs. Sprott. “are only just, beginning to emerge from the primitive stage. Before the advent of the missionaries they were absolute nonentities, were given no place in the life of the community. except the duty of bearing children, and no consideration. We toqk the girls as well as the boys into the schools, much to the islanders’ surprise, and now the women are beginning to hike an intelligent interest in life, and to claim their part in church affairs with the men. They show great signs of development, are docile and obedient. The most promising students are selected from the schools and trained as teachers, the aim being to leave a native teaeiier in every village. As time goes on we are finding an increasing number of these interested students.” Long, Hard Battle. Mails are delivered every six or seven weeks, but. only as far as Government headquarters at, Tuiagi. where they must lie and await passing vessels to bring them the rest of the way. All food is tinned, and that is why Mrs. Sprott is always experimenting, against heavy odds, with the arid soil in order to see what can bo done about growing vegetables. It is very hot all the year round: there are the usual tropical storms, and/ the humidity makes the climate especially trying. “But though the crabs come up from the lagoon at night and eat the lettuces, and the baby alligators and the snakes are a constant menace to liens and eggs, I wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world I" says Mrs. Sprott, her hazel eyes alight with enthusiasm. And you feel tiiat probably the reason for that attitude toward the unbelievable drawbacks of life among the Solomon Islanders is that the speaker has fought a long, hard battle with extraordinary patience and bravery, and finds the end of the struggle within reasonable hope of accomplishment. You feel that no discouragement would be sufficient to make her give up what she has so l herself to do. Mrs. Rudolph Sprott. will be in Wellington till the end of the month, and in June will visit Christchurch and Auckland. I’M STILL KNITTING! And so is my neighbour, and so is everyone, and we buy our wools at Curler’s. Their two Wool Shops have the best wools in Wellington, and you needn’t worry about the selection, for Carters are specialists. I'wo shops, Burlington Corner (opposite Macduff’s) in Culm Street, and T. & G. Building, the Quay. —Advt.