Pacific Missions

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 925, 19 March 1930, Page 8

Pacific Missions

HISTORIC SHIPS WITHDRAW RECENTLY the London Missionary Society, which operates in New Guinea and other islands, withdrew its venerable vessel, the John Williams, from service in the spreading of the Gospel, More efficient transport will carry on the work. A similar policy is to be put into effect by the Melanesian Mission which has decided that the steamer Southern Cross, 27 years in service, shall make her last voyage through the New Hebrides and the Solomons in September, 1931. In lier stead two Diesel schooners will link the mission stations.

Today Captain E. Kettle’s John Williams lies in Sydney Harbour preparing for her final voyage. She is the fourth of her name—fourth of a line that has carried on a service nearly 100 years old.

The -John Williams has travelled nearly 1,000,000 miles, but she is as snug and tight as a ship of 35 years could be.

The original John Williams was a famous missionary, and the first boat which left Harwich in 1544 was wrecked at Dangar 20 years later. John Williams 11. left London in 1866, and was wrecked at Savage Island in 1867. John Williams 111. began her work in the following year, and was replaced in 1894 by the present steamer, which in its turn is giving way to an auxiliary schooner.. The passing of the Southern Cross has been brought about in similar circumstances. The replacing schooners will ply among the islands, but will not voyage to New Zealand, as the five ships bearing the name Southern Cross have done for more than 80 years. The present Southern Cross is getting old. Repair bills are becoming increasingly burdensome, and it is felt that the veteran has outlived her economic life for the purposes of the mission. The contemplated transport scheme is purely experimental. The Melanesian Mission Board confidently anticipates reduced running expenses by the employment of the schooners.

The schooners will measure 100 tons, and 40 tons, respectively. They are to be auxiliaries, the sails in this instance being subservient to the engine power. The position at the moment regarding their construction is that certain builders in Auckland, and one in Sydney, have submitted designs, none of which has at present

proved quite up to requirements. Fresh plans are being prepared, which after inspection and approval by the Bishop of Melanesia will be used as the basis of tenders. The mission hopes that building will be undertaken in about 12 months. What do the missionaries think of the intended disposal of the Southern Cross? The fact is that the change is being made principally on their recommendation. The experiment is virtually the responsibility of the bishop and his staff.

Missionaries who have been accustomed to visit New Zealand on furlough as passengers by the Southern Cross will not be able to come iiere direct, but will require to go via Sydney. Similarly, persons joining the mission will be compelled to reach the islands by way of Australia. A regular steamer service gives connection between the islands and the Commonwealth, and it is in this manner that the mission field will be supplied and worked. The idea is that foodstuffs, building material, and the hundred-and-one commodities assimilated in so extensive an enterprise will lie deposited at the larger stations by the Burns Philp boats, and there picked up by the schooners, and transferred to remote outposts not on the route of the steamers.

Reorganisation of Melanesia’s transport raises the question of the purchase of stores, and where this is now to be done. During the last five years the mission lias distributed annually about £15,000 among Auckland merchants. Of this, approximately £7,500 goes in maintenance of the Southern Cross, or one-third of her original cost, new-built for the mission in 1903. Maintenance charges include between £I,OOO and £1,500 for coal, the rest being disbursed in wages, repairs, and general upkeep.