MELANESIA.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 7, 1 July 1937, Page 5

MELANESIA.

Missionary Dangers m the Solomon Islands. When They Sit We Will Kill.

A thrilling story of the risks run by missionaries m the South Seas was related on Monday at Norwich by the Rev. W. B. Seaton, headmaster of All Hallows School m the Solomon Islands, which are included m the Diocese of Melanesia.

Mr Seaton said the island had not been visited by white people for very many years. When he and the Bishop landed with the ship's doctor, Dr. Fox, m a dinghy from the mission vessel "Southern Cross," a small group of natives came down to the beach smiling and seemed very friendly, though the mission party could not speak their language. Then

other natives came hurrying down with spears and stone-headed clubs m their belts, and the people suddenly became excited and unfriendly. They offered the Bishop a present of fish, and a native "boy" who was with the mission party and understood the language of the island heard them say, "Give him the fish, and when they sit down to eat we will kill." The boy was so frightened that he ran to the sea and swam back to the "Southern Cross." Dr. Fox, who has been m the South Seas for 33 years, said, "If they send the women and children away it will be time to look out. They always do that before they kill." The men were crowding round them, and presently the women and children went away. Escape. "The Bishop and Dr. Fox managed to get to the dinghy," said Mr Seaton, "but two of the men had got hold of me and one of them was hitting me on the chest with his clenched fists. I dragged myself down the beach to the boat and we had to push it until we were waist deep m water before we could get it afloat. It. nearly capsized, but we managed to get back to the ship, beckoning to the people to come out to us. Presently some of them did come on board. We made them presents of fish hooks, and we could see their look of wonder that we should give them presents and. ask nothing m return .Later we heard from a neighbouring island that the people were asking that we should come back, so there is a new opening there for us. Unfortunately the Government has now closed the island to white people for the time being, but as soon as it is opened again we hope to go back and get on with the work."