NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9307, 16 September 1893, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[from OUR own correspondent, j September 9. The New South Wales' Government steamer Thetis arrived here on the evening t of the 23rd ultimo from Sydney and Lord Howe Island, and sailed back again on the 25th, taking the captain and all the crew of the wrecked ship Girvan, who have been here now 63 days awaiting a chance to be taken away. There were several passengefs on the Thetis, come for the trip, among them Judge MoFarland, au old friend of tthe Islanders, and they appeared to have enjoyed the visit very much. Nearly the whole of the community assembled on the pier to witness the departure, rounds of cheers beincc given for the departing mariners and the visitors. The Mission yacht Southern Cross, Captain Bongard, arrived from Auckland on the 28ch ultimo. Like the passage up, the trip down was conspicuous for head wiuds and dirty weather, it being impossible, except on the last day, to get a good observation of the sun. Unfortunately the stern boat was lost during the heavy weather. She flopped it into the water one night, and it went, taking with id one of the davits and part of the rail. The vessel sailed for the islands on the Ist instant. The Revs. H. Welchtnan, L. P. Robin, and l'ritt were passengers, together with the usual complement of natives. Captain Boncard expects to be away about twelve or thirteen weeks;. The whaling industry is in full swing. It commenced on the 6th July, and although attended with many vicissitudes as to "misses" and weather, lias been on the whole fairly successful. The record thus far isNo. 1 company got 4 whales and 2 halves, lost 2, IS tuns oil; No. 2, *2 whales, lost 3, 6 tuns ; No. 3, 1 whale and 2 halves, 11 tons ; No. 4, 1 half, 2£ tuns. The last whale was taken on the 31st August, No. 1 and 2 companies being mated. Last Tuesday No. 1 company met with a sad misfortune. In launching at the Cascade, the wind being in, the surf was heavy, and one of their boats got washed up on to the rocks. The men got ashore all right, but unfortunately the boat smashed to pieces. The weather lias been uncommonly wet, X? inches having fallen within the last three months, but just now we are having a spell— that is, we have had no rain for the last three or four days, but in the open there is a good | bite of grass, and the grazing animals look well; so also in the enclosures kumeras and other garden produce is plentiful, and there is no scarcity for either man or beast. When the Southern Cross came from Auckland last March it will be remembered that news had just been received of the disastrous hurricane at the Hebrides, which did such a lot of damage. As you havealready been informed our community at the time sent by the mission vessel a quantity of kumeras, about9osacks, to help the natives along. When the Southern Cross returned from the Islands last June she brought from the people of Opa a large parcel of cocoanuts, a present to the community in return for their kinchiess. Just before the departure of the Southern Cross the other day, the chief magistrate (Mr. Stephen Christian) wrote a letter to the people of Opa, which is so characteristic of him that 1 give you a copy of the letter, the Rev. A. Brittain, who has spiritual charge of the island, bavins: kindly translated it and sent it on :— The chief magistrate of Norfolk island to the people of Opa, greeting: Let me first salute you in the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by whose redeeming grace we all, everybody, are made one in Him and He in us, a universal brotherhood, and as professing Christians to help and succour one another in time of sorrow or need. I will now tell you, my dear friends, what I have to say. One Sunday afternoon, some months ago, the news was brought to us that a terrible disaster had befallen our brethren across the water at Opa, and other islands close by. A mighty wind had come, and besides doing other much damage had destroyed the growing crops, and that you were all likely to be pinched for food. We were deeply grieved to hear of your sad disaster, and after prayers on that same day my people and me came together in the Court-room to see if something could not be done. I got up and told the people that we were poor, but that we must try and do something for our brethren in distress. ' Let us send some kumaras,'l said. My people heartily responded, and old and young, little and big, gave what they could spare, which our mission friends kindly offered to take in their vessel; and next day, true to their word, every promise was kept, and the kumaras were all put on board. It was not much, but the offering was from our hearts, and you were very, very welcome, and we expected no return. God willed it, however, otherwise ; and when the vessel returned, bringing your noble present of cocoanuts, our hearts were very full, indeed, and that is tho reason I am now writing. The cocoanuts were equally divided until everyone went home with his portion joyful and satisfied; and I now, in the name of my poople, thank you for your thoughtful and acceptable present. A word or two more, dear ftiends, and I am finished. Our path here on earth is not always smooth, but by looking upwards to Jesus we can always find help, consolation, peace; let us try and do so ever and always.— loving brother in Christ Jesus, Stephen Christian, Chief Magistrate."