SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1553, 11 June 1885, Page 2

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

A lecture was delivered by the Rev J S. Rishworlh, of Oanaaru, last evening in the Wesleyan Church, on the South Sea [Blinds. Thera was a fait attendance The meeting was opened by the Rev D. McNicoll with devotional exercises, after which Mr J. E. Buchanan was called upon to tike the chair. The Chairman, in introducing the lecturer, expressed the pleasure he felt in welcoming Mr Rishworth to Ashburton, though regretting that the visit should bo due to the financial difficulties of the vlamaru Circuit.

Mr Riffi worth, in commencing his lecture, briefly referred to the object of his visit to Ashburton, viz , to raise fund towards liquidating the crushing debt on the Oamaru Circuit. He pointed out that the appeal now being made to the Wes leyan connection was duly authorised by the Conference. At a later period of the evening he stated that already cash and promises to the amount of L3OO had been obtained.

Mr 'Rishworth then proceeded to give an acoount of his trip to the South Sea Islands. Ha stated that through a variety of causes his health had so failed as to render it absolutely necessary that he should have rest and change. The kindness of his Oamara friends had placed ihim in a position to avail himself of the opportunity to visit the islands. He left Auckland last July in the Union Steamship Wairarapa, and arrived at the Fiji group in 4 days. Passing the Island of Kandawa, the vessel cast anchor in the Harbor of Suva. After fully exploring these islands and meeting with every kindness and attention from settlers, merchants, and missionaries, the Wairarapa, having called at Levukaand Mango, steamed to the Navigator’s Islands. A stay was made at Apia in the island of Upolu, and also at Pango in Tutuila. After a brief stay of about five day's a move was made for the last group in the tour, the Friendly Islands The first place visited was the Island of Yavau, the anchor being oast off the township of Uliafu. The harbor of Vavau is a most magnificent one, and large enough to accommodate the navies of all the nations of the world. Here Mr Rishworth and several of the other tourists had an interview with the King, and foupd him truly a “grandold ma'i.” Six feet four inches in height and of a splendid physiqu ■, he stands indeed a king among men. The next place visited was the Island of Tonga. Here was seen a very fine college, where about seventy students, young men and women, were being trained for various positions in their island home. Five days having been very enj »yably spent in the Friendly Islands, the Wairarapa steamed away for Auckland, arriving at that place after an absence of fout weeks.

During the visit Mr Rishworth was forcibly struck with two things—first, the immense amount of good the Ch apel of Christ had done for the inhabitants of these islands. Where cannibalism and perpetual war had reigned supreme, peace and rehgious fervor bad now taicea their place. Am}, sec >ndly, the sphere for commercial enterprise that these beautiful islands presented to the merchants of New Zealand and Australia The Union Shipping Company (whose arrangements, Mr Rishworth said, for the comfort of their passengers wore perfect), are not only providing a moat agreeable trip for those who have the time and money at command, but are also preparing the way for closer commercial relations between these favored islands aud New Zealand. A collection having been made, and Mr Flesher having contributed to the evening's enjoyment by his playing upon the organ, the meeting was brought to a close in the usual way.