Out of the Past...

the most southerly of the New Hebrides Group, had a complete life in the 19th century. Nothing much remains of it now but crumbling half-forgotten relics. Exactly 100 years ago Dr. John Geddie, of the Presbyterian mission, and his wife, settled on the island. Later came the sandalwood gatherers and the whalers.

These photographs were taken for us recently by Captain Brett Hilder.

(Above) Dr. Geddie’s church in 1948. He built it in 1854 to accom modate 800 people. The native population of Aneityum was much larger in those days. (Left) A British cannon, history unknown. It is stamped with British crown markings.

(Above) The remains of “Trucan ini,” one of Burns Philp’s earliest ships. She was wrecked on Aneit yum in a hurricane in 1893. (Left) Figure-head from old French ship wrecked on Aneityum so long ago that its exact history is not known.