The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-06-11

pastor. Mr.. Mitchell. Mr. Walkup and
myself were called on TO speak few
words TO the people, which we did
willingly. After service, Mr.. Walkup
went on board with the crowd, who
had congregated in a cobra house at
the head Of the stone wharf
I went over to Mr. Mitchell's house
10 see Mrs. Mitchell, who was i'll.
Stopped there to dine and remained
until the boat came ashore in the aft
ernoon for those who were on shore.
Got aboard at 4 o'clock.
We did not have much Of a congre-
cation. there being some 80 odd. The
pastor informed me that the people
were a hard lot of citizens, more es-
pecially since the Catholics settled
there.
One reason there were not more,
was. I suppose, because of the wealth
er. It was raining most of the fore
noon. which prevented those on the
outskirts of the town from coming in.
I was told that the Catholics were
making quite an inroad into the affec-
lions of the people, and if we were TO
hold our own here we must have men
in the group who happened to be pos
sessed of more than ordinary ability.
II is to be regretted that Mr.. Mitchell
had TO leave, for he was the fright
man in the right place"-energeti
blessed with good common sense, brave
and courageous, a match in contro-
versy with the priest there (priests are
scattered all over the group on any
subject in the Bible. He had them so
well in hand that they feared him,
deeming him a thorn in the way. They
were much elated at the turn of af-
fairs. making it necessary for Mr..
Mitchell TO leave. They now have the
field to themselves.
We left Messrs. Anderson and
Skumfeldt in Mr. Mitchell's place until
some one should be sent from Homo
lulu to relieve them. l do not believe
they can fill the place as well as Mr..
Mitchell did. As have already stated,
we must have there men of more than
ordinary ability. 1t is not everybody
who can go there and make a success
Of it. We want men of the stamp of
Mr. Mitchell.
We stayed there until the morning
Of the 23d. After taking on board all
the missionary stores we left there on
our way down from Honolulu, we
weighed anchor at $50 a m. for Ma
kin. an island just six miles across TO
the eastward of this one. The way we
had to go to get to it made the dis
lance FULLY. 20 miles. We went out of
the lagoon on the west side, then
around the north point, and then we
steered almost due east as soon as
possible. As the arrangements are
now. we land all freight in Butaritari |
On the Stars way down from Honolu- |
Ia. She will then proceed to the west |
ward. In five months time. she will |
return TO Butaritari. taking the same |
freight on board again. In a week or
-wo after arrival the missionaries get |
heir provisions.
It must be remembered that the Gill |
lert Islands are not Overstocked with |
he food which the missionaries are
1sed TO. They depend altogether on
What they order TO be sent to them.
from the time they order these pro-
-isions until they get them is just one
year.
It seems TO me a better way could be |
devised so that they can get their sup |
plies earlier. Why cannot the Star
and their freight on her way down
rom Honolulu right on the island
where they are living. 1t would not
letain her more than week or so.
I would be only a matter of calling at
rapetuea and Maiana and then on to
I doubt if it would detain
he Star as long as have stated. Even
{ it should take a little longer, where
would be the odds?
But before proceeding I would like
o say a few words in regard to the
yay our Hawaiian missionaries
reight is handled-not in any way to
ind fault with the present arrange
nents-but to make a suggestion by
which every one concerned would be
iaJisfed-more especially the Hawai-
an missionaries themselves. This is
/ way be devised by which they can
yet their goods sooner.
HARRY SWINTON.
ITO be Continued