Stayed Half An Hour!

How Tourist Ship Visited Tanna.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Tanna, N.H., Sept. 2.

EXCITEMENT was manifest on the is land as the time drew near for the arrival of the tourist steamer “Oron say” in August. It was the only topic of conversation amongst the natives for days beforehand and nearly every man made tracks for Whitesands and Thurs day and Friday, to be there to see the “big fellow steamer” on Saturday morn ing, August 12. The weather did not seem to be too favourable, and as she came along the coast about 9 a.m., when the wind and weather should have been on their best behaviour, they elected to be the reverse, and so when the ship dropped anchor the Commander said that he had decided not to allow any pas sengers to land and that he was leaving in half an hour. It was a big disappoint ment; as everyone had gathered to do honour to the visitors and at least give them the freedom of the island for the remainder of the day.

We certainly anticipated seeing tracks of our visitors from the beach to the vol cano, but even this was denied us. We hope that next time a tourist steamer pays us a visit that she will be attended with better luck than on this occasion.

At least, luck enough to allow the visi tors to set foot ashore and inspect the volcano and surroundings at close quar ters instead of only viewing the smoke, coming from the crater, from the deck of the ship.

One of our launches was slightly damaged by the “Oronsay’s” propeller as she made her departure.

Copra’S Low Price.

Copra remains at a very low price. The last visiting steamer paid £5/5/- per ton in bags and since then the market has again weakened. The cheery philan thropic traders still pay £5 per ton in bulk to the natives and keep on smiling.

New Trader Near Lenakel.

A French trader has gone so far as to have a grass house erected about twelve miles from Lenakel, along the North Coast, leaving a native in charge of affairs with a few bags of rice. Later his representative arrived and seemingly settled down to business.

Missionaries.

Our successor to Doctor Legros-Didier has not arrived yet; neither has the Re sident Catholic Missionary. The former is expected next month but the latter, although house and chapel are com pleted, seems not to have definitely fixed any date for his arrival.