on Tanna, New Hebrides

Presbyterians Discuss Mission Problems at Annual Synod on Tanna, New Hebrides

THOUGH the perils and hardships of mis sionaries have been considerably lessened since the pioneer evangelists arrived to Christianise the untutored savages of the South Seas, there still remain certain Pacific Islands where mis sionaries carry their lives in their hands as they advance to spread the gospel teachings. Among those pagan territories are the lesser civilised islands of the New Hebrides group.

The difficulties confronting the workers of the Presbyterian Church in the Condominium were discussed at the Mission Synod held recently at Lenakel, West Tanna. The meeting passed a minute expressing deep regret at the death of Apon, a native teacher, who was shot by heathen natives at Leviamb, West Malekula, in July last.

Present at the First Session were: Revs. T.

MacMillan, B.A. (Moderator), W. V. Milne, J. E.

Jaffray, W. Anderson, D. McLeod, M. 8., Ch.B., J. W. P. Gillan, 8.A., B. R. C. Nottage, 8.A., W. F. Paton, 8.A., B.D. The British Resident Commissioner (Mr. G. A. Joy) addressed the meet ing, discussing the question of native welfare.

Mr. B. C. Ballard, solicitor representing Australian interests in the Condominium, spoke at the invita tion of the Synod on native lands and surveys in relation to the Mission’s . activities.

Having received a communication from 'the Bishop of Melanesia regarding natives from islands under his mission care who are working in Vila or on outlying plantations, the members of the Synod Committee decided after consideration to agree to his placing native teachers where Melanesian Mission natives are working. The Bishop gave his assurance that there would be ho proselytising on the part of the native teachers.

The Presbyterian Mission informed the Melanesian Society that there was no opening for another church on Santo Island. - Mr. A. Stewart, who had recently been seriously ill, will shortly begin special deputation work in Australia. He will urge the Victorian and N.S.W.

Churches to provide missionaries for Nogugu, White Sands (Tanna), South-West Bay (Malekula), Paama, and South and West Santo.

In an interesting comment on the physique of the natives of White Sands district, Rev. T. Mac- Millan (East Tanna) said" that Captain" Cook on his visit there in 1774 described the men as strong

and vigorous, but rather small of stature. That description was true of the Tannamen when he arrived in 1896; to-day they are a more stalwart race, taller and bigger, of decidedly improved

physique.

The following are extracts from a minute based on reports from the Mission’s stations:— Several Tangoa-trained teachers have been settled in villages; erne was sent to Hareyi, Big Bay, Santo, but trouble in the village, culminating in the shooting of a man and the consequent flight of the natives from justice, left an empty village* so the teacher returned home.

A teacher settled at Benelang, Malekula, and has reported 20 converts. Three teachers from Nguna, with a missionary spirit, went to other islands—two to Tanna, one to Achin. Of the for mer two, one died on Tanna, and the other was forced to leave on account of his wife’s sickness.

Teachers are still needed in several islands, par ticularly Ambrim, Tongoa and Tanna. Dr. Mac leod reports that the want of teachers of English is the most pressing on Tanna. Combined villages, both in Tanna and in Tongoa, have offered to support a teacher, and provide him with house and garden.

The situation at Nguna was particularly difficult.

Thieving, strained relations between trader and natives, and dissatisfaction over the disposal of arrowroot money, all contributed to the difficulties presented to the missionary. An outbreak of “su,” or witchcraft, on Emae, added to the heavy burden.

The people of Tongoa are not staunch in their faith. Of the men on the membership roll only 28 out of 400 took Communion. Kava-drinking con tinues to hamper the work, and added to this is an anti-white-man feeling which is being en couraged by certain natives.

In spite of these drawbacks work is proceeding steadily. Collections are either remaining level or increasing. Special services have been held in various parts of the islands. On Malo, 51 services were held by the open-air band among heathens.

On Tanna, a weekly service is held at the leper settlement.

Missionaries are keeping in touch with out stations, and furthering the work there. Notable journeys were the two through Santo undertaken by Mr. W. Anderson. This involved about 4(1 hours’ walking in four days, the way lying through difficult country. .

The work of the Teachers’ Training Institution goes on apace, and has now settled down under its new Principal. There are 41 students in residence.