HOW NATIVES ARE KIDNAPPED FROM BANKS'S ISLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1181, 13 December 1869, Page 2

HOW NATIVES ARE KIDNAPPED FROM BANKS'S ISLAND.

(From the Southern Cross, November 6.) In order to prevenc misapprehension as to a paragraph which appeared in our issue of yesterday, respecting the deportation of natives from the Banks's Island, we have been requested by the Rev. Mr. Dudley to give the exact words of Bishop Patterson's letter referring to the subject : — " About 340 natives have been taken from the Banks's Island to Brisbane. As far as I know, none from Ambrytn or the islands between Ambrym and Santa Maria. The traders used my name everywhere, the common lie was, 'The Bishop has broke his leg getting into the boat, and can't come himself; and he has sent us to take you to him.' Sometimes, * The Bishop is on board, but he is not well, can't come ashore,' &c. A few of our old scholars, who speak broken English and talked with the traders, tell me this. This deportation of Banks's Islanders, and deaths from dysentery, are depopulating the islands rapidly. In every case there waa lying, and natives were taken away without any notion of what was meant, and in some cases there was a small amount of compulsion — a doubting fellow was, e.g., taken by the arm and put into a boat. But I heard of no case of downright violence." It is gratifying to learn that notwithstanding the nefarious practices at Banks's Island and other places, the good Bishop of Melanesia and his heroic followers are still preserved from harm. His influence is greater than ever, and there need be no apprehension for the c rmplete success of the mission if Christian fortitude and patient perseverance are availing. Considering how much suspicion and hostility may be caused by the practices of the European kidnappers who ' visit the Islands, the fact that no evil has befallen Bishop Patterson is most providential. Some two or three years ago Bishop Patterson visited Santa Cruz, and was attacked, and two Norfolk Islanders were killed. In the course of his last voyage the Bishop again visited the island, remaining some time at the settlement, near the one where the collision had formerly occurred. He was received with great friendliness, and sat amongst the very men who hud formerly been his enemies.