A TRIP TO SOUTH PACIFIC.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4001, 18 June 1870, Page 5

A TRIP TO SOUTH PACIFIC.

Last night, in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooni3, Mr. J. J. Neave delivered his lecture on "A Trip in the Missionary Ship 'John Williams.'" The hall was filled with a respectable and appreciative audience. Mr. S. Hague Smith occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Maedonald, after which the 1 eturer described his leaving Sydney in the end of March, last year, in the missionary ship 'John Williams,' on her trip to the ' ' thousand isles " of the Pacific. The first island they went to was Riotea, where they stayed eight days, and enjoyed, every kindness from Mr. Vivian, the resident missionary. The lecturer proceeded to state several native traditions. The next island they visited was Tihea, six miles distant from Riotea. New Island, the next place visited, was described by the lecturer, who stated the result of several interviews with Mr. Saville there. Tahiti was next visited, where strong drink was found to be making great ravages among those who had formerly professed Christianity. Manhia oanie next, where the natives were described as having been formerly addicted to committing suicide, but which practice they had now given up. Rorotonga was then visited, where the natives were said to be fond of a peculiar kind of intoxicating drink made from orangesorange rum. At Itrotaki several ruthless acts were committed by captains of vessels in search of labourers. Savage Island, Tutuili, Sooloomoeki, and Malooa were each described in turn, and the lecturer remarked that during his visit he found intemperance the greatest evil the missionaries had to contend with. He returned to Melbourne in the 'Britain, 1 after a very pleasant sojourn in these lovely isles. — The Rev, Mr, Macdonald moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and in doing so remarked that one of the persons described by Mr. Neave ab Rorotongx was baptised by him in the month of November, 1839, and in that island 34 years ago his ellesb child was born. — The motion was carried by acclamation. — The Chairman announced the next lecture of the series- would be delivered in the same ro >m, on the 8th of July, by the Rev, D. Jones; that on next Sunday forenoon Mr. Neave would preach in the Independent Chapel, Hi 3 'h-sbreet, and that at three 'o'clock in the afternoon he would address the children in the "VYesleyan Chapel, Higli-?treet, when it wa3 expected there would be about 1,000 children present. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.