NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11999, 23 June 1902, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[from OUR OWN' correspondent. J

June 16. The mail steamer Mambare, Captain C. W. Todd, arrived from Sydney on the morning of the 6th iust., and departed for the Islands the same evening. Mr. Lucas, the manager of Burns, Philp and Co.'s Island department, was on board, and had in charge a batch of immigrants which he intends to settle in the Now Hebrides in terms of the company's arrangement with the Federal Government. As there has been a good deal of croaking, the result of the experiment will be watched with interest.

The Rev. James Woolnough, agent of the Methodist Church in Now South Wales, was a passenger to the island by the Manibare, and will return to Sydney by the Titus, expected in a clay or two. The 46th anniversary of the landing of the Pitcaimers on Norfolk Island was celebrated with much spirit on the 12th inst. All the missionaries at St. Barnabas, blacks and whites, and all the strangers, were invited to participate, and crowded into town early in the day, giving the place, for a time, quite an animated appearance. The usual cricket match, Bounty v. Allcomers, was played, resulting, after a, wellcontested match, in a defeat of the mutineers. The east side of the barrack wall on the esplanado was the chosen spot for dinner, an ample repast being provided for the natives, while the residents and their guests had their meal close alongside. After dinner there were several speeches, mention being made of the advent of the cable and the increased prosperity, which was to accrue to the island thereby, but the speech of the day was made by Archdeacon Wright, of Nelson, who, speaking of the future prospects of Norfolk Island, told us plainly that the only profitable outlet for our surplus products was New Zealand. New South Wales, the speaker said, was nearly twice as far off as New Zealand, and, besides, could grow everything that Norfolk Island could produce, but New Zealand could not, consequently we were always sure of a market there. The Archdeacon therefore suggested that the most beneficial course for the island to take was to go under the protecting wing of New Zealand. The work at the Anson Bay oablehouse is going on apace, but the completion of some of the buildings is delayed for want of materials.

The Melanesian mission vessel Southern Cross, Captain Hammond, arrived in the Cascades on Saturday afternoon from her initial cruise round the mission stations in the Islands, with an " all well" report. Archdeacon Comins, the Rev. Adams, and 15 natives were passengers to the island. The Archdeacon reports a very successful trip, and everything going on satisfactorily. The little Roman Catholic mission vessel Eclipse was met ashore at the Solomons, and the Cross tried in vain for two days to tow her off, parting all her hawsers during the process, and had to leave her there. The Southern Cross leaves this afternoon for Auckland, on her usual midwinter trip. The weather is very uncomfortable and cold, blustery, and squally, the usual westerly weather, however, experienced at this time of year.