CARGO CARRIED TO NATIVES

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1927, Page 9

CARGO CARRIED TO NATIVES

WORK OF MELANESIAN MISSION. (Special to News). Auckland, Last Night. Among a small crowd of well-wishers, who waved farewell to the Melanesian Mission steamer, the Southern Cross, when she cast off from Queen’s Wharf this morning, there were probably only very few who had any idea of the varied cargo that was safely stowed within the vessel’s holds. Beneath the hatches were foodstuffs for consumption in the Islands, valued at £l5OO. In addition the vessel carried sufficient provisions to last her over her 14 weeks’ cruise. The hardware on board was valued at £4OO, and the soft goods at a slightly lesser figure. It will come as a surprise to all but those who are intimately connected -with the work of the mission, to learn that as much as £lB,OOO is actually spent by the mission authorities each year. Apart from expenditure in connection with the purchase of goods for the Islands and the running of the steamer on her two trips, over £7OOO is spent annually in salaries. After leaving the wharf to-day the Southern Cross anchored in the stream until the launch Mavis, which is to be used by Bishop J. M. Steward, at the Solomon Islands, was taken in tow for her long 2000 mile journey.