MELANESIAN MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10587, 3 September 1896, Page 4

MELANESIAN MISSION.

The Southern-Croat reached Norfolk Island on Saturday, Jtdy-4i »ft« «'week's passage from Ancktand. The Alice- May arrivsd ». few hours later. Bytheeotwo-retsels MiasWilliaJßS, M.A., of Christohurnhr-and Mr Edgell, S.A-C., England, were added to the staff, and are likely to prove vsry useful. Dr Welohman has been vary poorly since his return from Biyotn, and his marriage with Miss Helen Bossiter has been delayed in consequence. At date of writing he wag roach better.' The mission wag shorthanded. The Rev. Hessra Brittaia, Oullwick, and Ivens departed for their respective spheres of work on Tuesday, July 7, in the Southern Cross, taking with them 40 Melanerians, but leaving, a large party behind, with only Archdeacon Palmer and t&e Ray. L. P. Robin, of the clergy, to look after them, and to supply tho abaorica of a chapl&in to the Norfolk Islanders. The ship wa» expected to return in about eight weeks, bringing back the bishep, i who would then come on to Now Zealand, being due in Auckland to meet the Rev. P. X. Williams, and to arrange matters preliminary to the Lambeth Conference early in September. ' • There had been one death on Norfolk Island, of a Santa Cruz lad—it was thought from blood poisoning. To explain matters, and to ensure the safety of Dr Williams at Santa Cruz, his companion and fellow countryman was sent down in the ship. No doubt he will be able to convince the suspicious Cruzians that the death w»s from natural causes, and that all that could be done was done for him. The Rev. G. Macmurray, who has returned to Auckland in renewed health and strength, has done the mission good service while in 1 England by lecturing and preaching on its ' behalf, under the direction of Bishop Selwyn. His presence at the annual Eton gathering of the friends of the mission on St. Barnabao's I Day gave great pleasure. Birtop Selwyn hopes i to induce English friends to do their share ■ towards the increased annual income required ' by the mission. 1 The Rev. Percy Williams has been hard at '. work preaching and delivering lantern lectures ! in aid of the mission throughout the diocetes i of New Zealand, deepening and extending the ■ interest felt in the mission. Bat the pecuniary i results" of heroic efforts are too often not 1 adequate to the requirements. While interest is slowly extending, increased expenditnrb is going on. The.mi66iou needs prompt, general, ' and substantial* help.