THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 726, 30 March 1853, Page 4

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

(From a paper issued from the St. John’s College Press.) FIFTH VOYAGE. The Border Maid sailed from Auckland on the 10th of June, 1852, carrying away all the Melanesian scholars, except Geoige Apale, a boy from the Island of Lifu, whose death has been already recorded. It was full time that they should leave Ncav Zealand, for the damp winds had severely affected their health ; and two were sent on board dangerously ill. A favourable wind speedily carried them into a warmer climate, where they soon recovered. On July 1, the schooner anchored at Anaiteum, the southernmost of the New Hebrides, where Mr. and Mrs. Inglis where landed, to the great joy of Mr. Geddie, the Presbyterian Missionary from Novia Scotia, whose work is now beginning to be blessed with fruit in the rapid increase of the number of converts. Tupua, the native scholar from this Island, was restored to his relations, and to the care of Mr. Geddie, by whom he had been recommended for admission into St. John’s College. July 5. Futuna. We landed our two Futuna scholars, Saliwa and Irai, and left them in the hands of their relations., with our prayers and blessings; but with great uncertainty as to their future progress, as their is no teacher on the island, and they are both too young to have any great weight with their own people. This is one of the islands in which the London Mission have obtained a vested interest by the death of two of their teachers, who were killed by the natives. We should be thankful to hear that teachers were likely to be speedily placed upon the island. July G. Tanna and Niua. We rowed into Port Resolution to land a Tannesc Chief Kami mi, to whom be bad given a passage from Anaiteum, Wc did not remain long, but sailed on to Niua, where we received several of the chiefs on board, and held friendly intercourse with them. July 7. Erromango. We landed at Bunkil, among a friendly party of fifty or sixty natives, to take back the elder of the two boys whom Captain Erskine of her M.M.S. Havannah had placed in our school. The younger who had been carried back in the last voyage, came off in a canoe to meet the boat, and returned on board with two other little boys of about bis own age, all wishing to go to school. These, with another little Erromango boy, who joined us at Tanna in the former voyage, made up the number of the four native scholars from this place, We were rejoiced to hear that the Rarotongan teachers had gained a footing at Dillon’s Bay, and were well treated by the tribe by whom John Williams was killed. Loyalty Islands. July 8. Mare, or Nengone. —We skirted along the eastern and southern shores of this island, passing the spot where the Lucy Ann was cut off last year, and arrived in the evening at the mission station. Our friends Bula, Naisilen, and Tavita came off to us in a canoe. July 9. Our decks were crowded all day with this friendly people. The Rev, W. Nihill went on shore with bis Maori assistant, Henry Taratoa, and was received with the greatest kindness by the Rarotongan native teachers, and by the chiefs, and people of the island. On this and the following day Mr, Nihill and the Rarotonga teacher Mark prepared the candidates for baptism. July 10. At the morning service a congregation of nearly a thousand persons assembled in the chapel, attesting the Divine blessing upon the work of the simple-minded Samoan and Rarotongan teachers, upon whom the teaching of John Williams has not been lost. At this service, conducted by Mr. Nihilland Mark,four of the scholars were baptized, viz. George Siapo, Solomon Cho, Charles Napai, and Mark Kaiwhat; being the first-fruits to Christ of our Melanesian school, with the exception of George Apale, who was baptized on his death bed at St. John’s.

This is one of the Islands nearest to New Zealand, and one which by agreement between the Samoan Mission and the’ Bishop of New Zealand is to be occupied by Missionaries of the Church of England. In fulfilment of this agreement, the Rev, W. Nihill and Henry Torator with their staff of Nengone scholars were left here to prepare the way for the permanent residence of English Missionaries upon the Island. Mr. Nihill made a census of a great part of the population of the Island during his stay there, and took down the names of about 2500 Christians and 1500 Heathens.

•Every day there assembled in the Church of one Mission Station GOO people, who received instruction in the Scriptures. After morning service Mr. Nihill kept school with about 2o young men in reading their own language and English, writing, arithmetic, and singing. Fifteen of these were living in the Rarotongan teacher’s house, under regular training and discipline. Henry, the New Zealander from St. John’s College, kept school with about the same number of boys. They might have had many more scholars, but thought it best to confine themselves to a number that they could well manage. On the other side of the island, two of the Nengone lads who had been six months at St, John’s College kept school with 1.30 boys. Their schoolroom is a cavern in the face of the rode. A large fire lights up the pillars and stalactites of the cave, already blackened by the smoke of fires in past ages, when the assembly did not consist, as now, of Christian children, but of savage cannibals.

Mr. Nihill visited a neighbouring Heathen tribe, which had been previously bitter foes to the Christian tribe he was staying with. The Rarotongan teachers accompanied him, and spoke boldly and effectively to the chief on the evils of miseries of the Heathen state, compared with the Christian. The chief listened kindly and professed his willingness to make peace with the neighbouring tribes, and to receive instruction in the truths of the Gospel. July 12. Lifu. We visited the Samoan Mission at the S. E. cud of this island; and landed the Bishop, who baptized our first Lifu scholar, John Thol, in the presence of a congregation of 400, the Samoan teacher Tui conducting the services in the Native language. The schooner then sailed to Doka, to a small Island between Lifu and Nengone to convey a Samoan Teacher, Sorio

to his station on that Island, where a neat chapel lias been built; and then sailed to the great Bay of Lifu to meet the Bishop who liad gone across the Island in the mean time to visit the parents of George Apale and to comfort them tor the death of their son. Our first Lifu scholar, John Thol, was left here with his relations. July 15. Uea. We passed through the Lagoon of Uea, hut did not anchor, as we were anxious to reach New Caledonia on the day following, in hopes of joining company with 11.M.5. Calliope. One of the principal Chiefs of the Island came off to us in his canoe, hut we could do no more than promise to visit the Island again on our return. . . July 16. New Caledonia. We entered within the reef as usual at Porcupine Point, and after anchoring for the night, reached lengen the following day. Our old friend Basan, the chief of this place came on board, and remained with us during our stay. To his assistance we were indebted for the enjoyment of a peaceful and happy Lord’s Day on the eighteenth of July, as no canoe was permitted to approach the vessel. On Saturday and Monday our decks were crowded from morning to night, but all our visitors were perfectly friendly and quiet. Basan dictated to the Bishop an urgent request to the Church in Sydney and New Zealand for an Lnglish missionary to reside at his place. An effort was made to find Dallap our for ner New Caledonian scholar, but he was reported to have moved to a distant part of the country. The boys of the place were written down, and several selected for admission into St. John’s College, with the consent of their parents. Our long voyage in prospect to the north was a reason for not pressing them to join us at once. July 20. We sailed from lengen. oSTf.w 'Hebrides. July 23. Apee. We returned to the chain of the New Hebrides and visited Apee, where we held friendly intercourse with the people, but could not persuade any one to come on board. July 24. We passed through the passage between Three Hills (Mai) and Two Hills (Matasu) and brought away from the latter Island a native named Ota, whom we took with us on our visit to the Shepherd Isles, Tongariku, Ewase, Valea, and Tongoa. It was found that Ota could converse freely with the natives of the Shepherd Isles. These smaller Islands might therefore be easly united under the care of one visiting missionary, assisted by native teachers. July 25. We returned to Apee after examining the dangerous reef 3 miles to the N. W of the Three Hills Island, and passing through thepassage between Apee and Tongoa sailed between the high volcanic Island Tamatua and the adjacent Island Paum, marked in some charts as one only ; bearing the latter name. In all these Islands we held friendly communication, more or less, with the natives. July 27. Mallicolo or Sesok. In the morning we lay-to oft the mouth of Port Sandwich, the place where, by the goodness of God, we were saved from an affray with the natives last year. As soon as we rowed into the harbour in the boat, we were recognised by many of our old friends, who came to us without suruple. Even the Chief Sisinia, the leader of the hostile party, greeted us with a smiling face, and laid aside his arms to join the peaceable party in the boat. It appeared that they had lately lost ten of their tribe in battle, and it is probable that the disaster was attributed by them to their ill treatment of us. This, so far as we could understand, seemed to be explanation of their friendly manner of receiving us. Of course we endeavoured to profit by it; and accordingly we invited our old friend Baralolo to accompany us to the vessel, and take a sail for a few day’s round the neighbouring islands.

July 28. Ambrym. As we lay becalmed near this island, we were visited by several canoes full of natives, who came on board readily when they saw Baralolo. He seemed to converse fluently with them, though the languages of the two Islands are not exactly the same. We wrote down the names of many of our visitors, and established an acquaintance which we hope to improve hereafter.

July 29, 30. We touched at various points of the Islands of Whitsuntide, Aurora, Lepers, taking every opportunity of rowing in shore, exchanging presents with the natives, writing down their names, and collecting words to ascertain the character of their language.

July 31. Mallicolo. We returned to Mallicolo to take back Baralolo, and met with a reception still more friendly than before. Sisinia completed his reconciliation with us by carrying the Bishop on his shoulders to shore. The boys were assembled, and their names written down, but the parents had not yet confidence enough in us to allow any of them to come with ns to school. It was evident, however, that B.iralolo’s account of us had been favourable, for a friend of his, Telau, readily came off to the schooner, to sail with us to the Solomon Islands, and to be brought back on our return.

August 1. We again called at Ambrym, and made acquaintance with some new parties of natives ; and then sailed round the south end of Mallicolo, and along the western side, till we came to Baugainville’s Strait, in which we lay becalmed ; we were reconnoitered by some canoes of natives, speaking a language which our Mallicolo native, Telau, did not understand, though they came from the nothern end of his own Island.

August 3. We sailed into the great - bay in Spirito Santo, named by Quiros, the Bay of St. Philip and St. James ; but we were driven out again by the approach of bad weather, without seeing any of the people of the Island. August 4. 5, Santa Maria or Nagoa. We sailed to the N. E. 35 miles trom Cape Quiros, to an island not laid down in any of our charts, but evidently the one named Santa Maria by Quiros, where we experienced the same treatment which Quiros met with nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, trading peaceably with one party among them, and being shot at by another party about a musket shot distant.

August G, 7. Star I. or Mehilapa. We passed through the channel between Santa Maria and Banks’ Island (Vanualapa) and beat up against the trade wind to Star I. (Merilapa) a high volcanic cone, where we found a numerous and friendly population. One little boy came on board to go to school, but his courage failed him at last. August 8. Meririki or Beits’ I. This is a small rocky island between Star Land Santa Maria, not laid down on our charts. We sailed for it on the Sunday afternoon, hoping to find it uninhabited, and to give our boys a quiet walk ; but as we approached we saw ten men come down with bows and arrows, who threw cocoanuts at the boat in token we supposed of friendship; but the surf on the rocks prevented our communicating with them. °

9. Banks’ Island, We sailed into the middle of this group, between the Great Banks’ I. (Vanualapa) and Sugar Loaf I. (Aumata), and found a very friendly people of the same race as those of Star Island, their names for all the adjacent Islands being the same, and all from Polynesian roots. While we were here, a party set off in four canoes to visit Star Island. On the East side of Great Banks’ Island are hot springs, high up in the hills, exactly similar in appearance to those in New Zealand. Sailing to the North to visit Saddle Island w r c suddenl}- found ourselves among reefs, extending as far as the eye could see to the North, and, called cn the French charts hochcrs du Nord.

August 10. Bligii Island or Uraparapara. We returned round the South end of Banks’ Island, and lav beSalmod for a whole day, having Hanks Island on the East, Bligh Island (Uraparapara) on the North-east, and five small Islands, caUod in some charts the Torres Islands, to the West. We were 100 far from the shore to communicate with the natives.

August 13. Vanikolo or Pbbobsjs Finding that we could not reach iuc o ]na,thene island In the chain we steered Rainy and thick weather delayed us w he mo™ i„g ; and we had only tune to row into thelagoon, leaving Boussole reef on the right hand and Astio Sabereefon the left; so named from the ships.of La Perouse which were lost on these reels, lagoon is of unusual depth, and not bemgable to find a safe anchorage, before the sun set we returned to the vessel. Thenext morning we skirted round the Northern reefs ; but not having another day to spare for this island, we proceeded to Tl August 14. Tubua. At first this island seemed to be surrounded by one unbroken reef; but we soon found a boat entrance, and afterwards a passage for large vessels. The lagoon is very deep. The people were most friendly; coming freely to our boat, and rubbing noses in true I olynesian fashion. The use of the Betel-nut begins here. Another island, seemingly within the same reef, lies to the west of Tubua. , _ August 15. Santa Cruz. Passing Lord Howe s Island, we rounded the North East corner of Santa Cruz, and were immediately boarded by a small party of the natives. We gave them some presents, but did not trade, as it was the Lord s Lay. We then ran along the North face of the Island, intending to anchor if possible in Byron’s Cove ; but found it inconveniently small. We then sailed into the Bay named Graciosa by its first discoverer Merdana, in 1595 ; where the Spanish ships found a harbour ; but as we found ourselves surrounded by a fleet of more than sixty canoes, and not less than two hundred had visited us during the day, we did not think it prudent to anchor. We must hope at some future time to spend a more profitable Lord’s Day among this numerous and interesting people. The active volcano Matemana to the northward, continued to send up ■volumes of smoke during the day. Solomon Islands. August 17. St. Ciiristoval. Early in the morning we reached St. Anna (Oaraha) and St. Catalina (Clariki), the Easternmost of the Solomon Islands; and shortly after saw St. Christoval (Bauro), and sailed along the South face of the Island. August 18. We anchored in Toro, and speedily filled up our water from a beautiful stream. We saw foot-prints in the sand; but no proached us till evening, when a few canoes arrived bringing a party who proved to be friends and relations of Didimang the native who had been placed under our charge by Captain Erskine. August 19. We came to the harbour of Mekera, where the principal Chief Lisitado brought us a letter left in his hands by the late Mr. Boyd who refitted the Wanderer in this harbour a short time before he was killed on a neighbouring Island. August 20. We arrived at Mata, the native place of our scholar Didimang, and as usual found ourselves at once in a state of friendly intercourse with the native people, going on shore and receiving them on board without fear or suspicion. There is every reason to think that a missionary or native teacher would be perfectly safe here; except from the danger of native wars. A select number of Didimang’s relations and friends came on board, in whose presence he was baptized, and received the name of William. A book of prayers and some Scripture lessons had been translated by his assistance, and a supply of school lessons and stationery were left with him, in the hopes that he might conduct family prayer and school with his own relations, and thus prepare the way for the introduction of a Missionary. We left William Didimang, our most distant scholar, with sorrowful hearts; wishing him every blessing, but with little hope of being able soon to visit him again. We should have been happy to have stayed a careful superintendence of this multitude of Islands will require the services of a Missionary Bishop, able and willing to devote himself entirely to this work. August 22 to 25. We were beating along the Southern side of St. Christoval, and on the latter day cleared the Island, and saw no more land till September 5. When we came in sight again of Santa Maria, and shortly after saw Cape Quiros in Spirito Santo. From this day to September 11. Mallicolo. We were beating up through the chain of the New Hebrides, Aurora, Lepers, Whitsuntide and Ambrym, till we came for the third time to Port Sandwich in Mallicolo, to land our companion, Telau, according to promise. He went on shore with a commission to choose two of his tribe to go to New r Zealand to school, his own capacity for learning being found to he very small, and his somnolence so great that he was generally known on board by the name of Nipats (sleep.) His invitation was accepted by two young men, Hachai and Nahong, who are now at St. John’s College. Thus we hope that by God’s blessing, our intercourse with this people, which began in strife, will end in Christian confidence and friendship. September 12 to 16. In these days we made remarkable progress, gaining no less than 180 miles to windward in 4 days ; and passing through the chain of the New Hebrides betwen Two Hills and Montague Island, sighting every island in succession, we anchored again in Anaiteum on the 17th September, to stop a leak and fill up our water. September 17 to 20. Anaiteum.—Mr. Inglis visited us, and reported most favourably of the prospects of his work. September 20. We called at Tanna to enquire for a native party to whom we had promised a passage to Futuna, but found that they had gone in another vessel. September 22. Touched at Futuna to enquire after Saliwa and Irai; hut found that their relations ■would not consent to their returning with us to school. September 23. Tanna. We anchored in port Resolution to take in a supply of provisions for the large party which we expected to join us at the Loyalty Islands. September 25. Nengone. We returned to Nengone. and to our great joy, found Mr. Nihill and Henry Taratoa, well and happy, with a large class of candidates for baptism, and a select party of young men and boys ready to accompany us to Now Zealand. One young woman betrothed to our earliest scholar, George Siapo, was also received with her female companion. Mr. Nihill had already visited the greater part of the Island, including the tribe by which the English vessel already mentioned was cut off; and under his guidance the bishop visited the principal Heathen Chief, Buama, on the North-east side of the island, and was well received. September 30. Doka. We sailed to Doka and took in another party of scholars ; and the same evening reached the Mission Station at Lifu, where the Bishop went on shore to conduct a native baptism. October 1. Eleven men and five women who had been prepared by the Samaon teacher, Tui, were baptised, on his recommendation, by the .Bishop; find a party of select scholars were reccived on board the vessel. -October 2. We sailed round the Northern end ot Ltlu, to the great bay, to take in John Thol, who came on board with six companions ; five of " horn we were obliged to refuse, as our number was now almost complete. Octcber 3, 4, 5. We lay ot anchor in the lagoon ot Uea, making- clothes for our new scholars, and receiviug visits from Nckeios and other Chiefs of the Island. Nckeios’ son Saumoe Juki long been intended to come to our school ; nut his lather was unable to overcome his fears, and another little boy was received in his room ; making up our number of Melanesian scholars, male and female, to twenty-five. We intended, if the wind had been fair, to have gone to lengen, in New Caledonia, to take up the scholars whom we had selected before ; hut a north-west wind coming on, directly contrary for New Caledonia, hut favourable for our return.

decided us not to risk the health of our large party on board, amounting to forty in all, by any delay not absolutely necessary. October 7. On this day we lose sight of land; and anchored at Kohimarama on the following day, after a voyage of four months, from June 19 to October 21 ; during which time we are able to thank God that no casualty of any kind had befallen us, and that even the ordinary inconveniences of a sea voyage had scarcely been felt. The following are the Islands visited or sighted by the Border Maid: — English Names. Native Names. I j Anaiteam, 2* Futuna. 3. >New Hebrides Tanna. 4 f Niua. g' mango. 6. Sandwich Islands Fate. 7. Montague 8. Hinchinbroke Mau. 9. Two Hills Matasu. 2Q Makura. i ll! Three Hills’*. Mai. 12 v f Tongariki,. 13 I I Puninga. 14. V Shepherd Islands Yalea, 15 ( I Ewase. 16. J LTongoa.. 17, Apee. lg[ Tamatua. 19, Paum. 20*. Ambrym. 21. Mallicolo, or 22. Whitsuntide l_Sesok. 23. Aurora 24. Lepers 25. Bartholomew Island 26. Spirito Santo 27. Santa Maria Nagoa. 28. Betts Island Merirlkf.. 29. Star Island Merilapa. 30. Banks Island Yanualapa. 31. Sugar-10af... Aumata. 32. Saddle Island 33. Flat Island Onusa. 34. Biigh Island Uraparapara, 35.1 >- Torres Islands 38. 39. Perouse Vanikoro. 40. Tubua. 41. Lord Howe’s Island 42. Santa Cruz 43. Huerta 44. St. Anna Oraha. 45. St. Catalina Oraki. 46. St. Christoval Bauro. 47. Guadalcanar Gera. 48. Malanta Mara. 49. New Caledonia 50. Uea. 51. Lifu 52. Doka. 53. Nengone. In twenty-six of these islands we were able to 1 hold some kind of intercourse, more or less, with the people; from eleven we have received' scholars; in seven mission stations have been established by the London society, three of which are proposed to be given up to the Church Mission, The aggregate of population cannot be less at the lowest estimate than. 200,000 souls; with a different language or dialect, on a probable average, for every 5000 souls. This is evidently a field in which each body of Christian Missionaries may carry on its own work without collision with others ; and upon this principle the operations of the Australasian Board have always been conducted. May the Holy Spirit so guide and bless the work of all, that “the multitude of the Isles” of the Melanesians may be added to the Lord ! The sum of £4-50, bequeathed by the late Griffin Laing, Esq., to the Bishop of New Zealand, for Missionary purposes, has been devoted to the support of a scholar connected with theNorthern Mission, who shall be called the “ Griffin Laing Scholar.” The following is the list of Melanesians and Australians now at St. John’s College : George Siapo, Isaka, Wadokala, Wadarubiuj Barini, Itopupu, Thamua, Kapua, Nikenla, Wathole—lsle of Mare or Nengone, Lovalty Isles. Girls, Wabisane, Warestmhi. John Thol, Isaia, Daniela, Cho,, Hoetha—lsle of Lifu, Loyalty Isles. r Umao, Sappandoolu, Lowe, Üben—Erromango,. New Hebrides. Mango—Uea, Loyalty Isles. Hachai, Nabong—Mallicolo or Sesok, New Hebrides.

Maurase—Bauro, Solomon Isles. John Girba, Charles Combo—Perth and Svdney, Australia.