NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5388, 4 July 1878, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND.

(From the N.Z . June 24.) By the mail which came to hand from the island recently were letters to Captain Tilly, detailing the progress of the work at the Mission at Norfolk Island. The latest letter is dated the 10th April, and the following items of information have been placed at our disposal At the Mission everything was going on Very satisfactorily. During the dry weather some sickness was experienced ou the island, but Bishop Sejwyu expressed the hope that when they got a good shower of rain the sickness would all disappear. At the time the letter was written the Southern Crons was expected to leave in the course of two days for the islands, taking the Bishop, and the Revs. J. Palmer, Comins, Still, and Penny, with the usual number of Mission students. It was expected that the schooner would be absent from Norfolk Island about ten weeks. After returning to the island it was intended that she should at once start upon the second cruise, conveying the remainder of the teachers. In the course of this cruise the Bishop would be picked up, and the rest of the teachers left at the New Hebrides Group. This second trip was expected to occupy a much longer time than the first, and during the course of the trip it was intended to visit the Santa Cruz group, where Bishop Patteson was murdered. On returning from this trip it was Intended that the scholars from the Northern groups of islands .should be picked up and brought on to Norfolk Island. After landing these safely at Norfolk Island it is intended to return at once to Banks* Island, and gather up the remainder of the scholars and clergy. Tho Bishop Patteson Memorial Chapel, being erected on Norfolk Island, was progressing satisfactorily. It was anticipated that the masonry would be finished by the beginning of October.

, On the 25th of March the Bishop confirmed 17 Melanesians, being his first performance of this ceremony among them. The yonng_ lads are said to be very promising ones, and Bishop’ Selwjn expected they would do well, and soon become very useful to the mission, For some time after Mrs. Selwyn’s death, Bishop Selwyn’s infant child was very weak and sickly, but latterly it had grown much stronger, and under the unceasing care of Mrs. Nihills it was expected soon to become strong and healthy. For a short time before the despatch of the letter, Captain Armstrong, an old Navy officer, had been among the Islands, Captain Armstrong Is an old Auckland resident, and is well known to many of our citizens. It appears that a small schooney had been chartered in Sydney for the prulse, From Sydney they proceeded to Lord Howe's Island, thence to Norfolk Island, and then to Fiji. From Fiji it was intended to proceed on a cruise among the various groups of islands in the Pacific. What the nature of the business was had not transpired." ■■■ 1 ■ ■