“Southern Cross Vii.”
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
Additions to Melanesian Mission’s Vessel.
THE fine little motor vessel of the Melanesian Mission, Southern Cross VII., has been in Sydney since December last. She was brought down from the the Solomon Islands by Captain R. A.
Williams for a partial survey, and her engines have been examined and com pletely overhauled.
Several structural alterations and addi tions have been made. The boat deck has been extended right aft, and two additional cabins have been built on the upper deck— one of four berths will be for the use of native priests being transported to and from the Mission’s schools. The other, a smaller one, containing two bunks, is for white women workers, chiefly nurses.
Extra fresh water tanks have also been installed.
It is interesting to note that special accommodation has been added for nurses.
Splendid medical work is being carried out in Melanesia by the Mission’s qualified workers. At almost every place visited by the Bishop while travelling on board the Southern Cross VII., a trained nurse goes ashore to carry out necessary work among the natives and their children. At hun dreds of isolated villages in the Solomons and New Hebrides the seeds of Chris tianity have blossomed through the ten der and magnificent work done by Mission Sisters.
The Southern Cross VII. will leave Aus tralia at the end of March on her return to the Solomon Islands, taking with her nearly a year’s supply of fuel oil.