THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11691, 28 June 1901, Page 5

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

RETURN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS. NEWS FROM THE ISLANDS. A ROY BEHEADED. Tiik Melaneaan Mission yacht Southern Cross, Captain Martin Hofygolt, returned from a cruise amongst tho Islands, where tho work of the mission is carried on, yesterday, anchoring in the ream for inspection by Dr. Shannon, the port health oilicer, who visited tho vessel shortly after arrival, and, finding everything in order, granted her pratique. The yacht loft Auckland in March last, and after cabins at Norfolk Island, went on io the ijlauds with die mission party and n number of Mclanusiaiis. Of the cruise Captain Kuweit reports tho usual all-round weather, although at the Holumans it was stormy, with plenty of rain. All the stations worn visited. His Lordship the Lisbon says that on the whole tiie reports received are generally encouraging, although perhaps some might 1" hotter. Tho Jiev. Percy Williams, at Otiadaleanar, has had a trying time of it. A party of hushmen raided one of his schools, and' beheaded one of the '•>'-, bit', the plucky missionary is holding id; own. and is determined not to bo ousted. Siotii is healthy again and ready to be reoeeupied, so Archdeacon Comins say--, hut Dr. \Vek-linvin is eery much misled At Santa Cruz matters are not what they might be. In conclusion, tho Bishop said that all these obstacles only make one Inns [or further help and a better vessel, so that the stations could bo visited oft oner, and as a matter of course the work carried mi move efficiently. VfMlst at Aita Cove (Malayln) Captain ITiiKrott was informed by some natives that the bottt-steerer of the labour vessel, Fearless, had been killed by some of the bush natives about a. fortnight previously. Tho cable steamer Britannia, which is engaged in surveying the route for the Pacific cable loft Norfolk- Island on June 21 for New Zealand, and expected to reach Auckland about a fortnight later. tin the 12th hist, the s.s. Mnrabnm arrived at Vila. New Hebrides, with her propeller working loose, Who left on the 13th for Noumea to have repairs effected, The .Southern Cross leaves for Norfolk Island on July 10. and proceeds thence to tho Islands. 1, is the intention of tho Bishop to make an inspection of his diocese on the next voyage of the Southern Cross from Norfolk Island.