John Williams Vi Calls

At Mangaia

From Our Own Correspondent MANGAIA, Cl, August.

THE long-awaited LMS mission-vessel, John Williams VI, latest of a long line of ships bearing the great pio neer’s name, made two short calls at this island, on July 16 and 19. On the first occasion, the ship came direct from nor thern island groups without first calling at Rarotonga for medical inspection. No communication between ship and shore was permitted until the vessel arrived the second time, though she was permitted to take away mail bags. This was a disap pointment to the islanders, particularly the LMS church congregation, who had looked forward for a couple of years to entertaining the ship’s complement in local fashion. The Mangaians, who sub scribed some £2OO towards the cost of the John Williams VI, feel it to be their own mission-vessel, and would like to see it call annually.

On the second visit of the brand-new ship the entire party on board was en tertained at one large table, and the feast was characteristically Mangaian. Dancing and an “ute” comprised the musical fare offered, and these again were typical of the island, the latter causing the visitors much amusement, this form of Polynesian “comic song” being quite new to them.