The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-06-03


There we found the people all well.
with the exception of Mrs. Mitchell,
and owing to her i'll health. Mr.. Mitch
ell and family came up 10 Honolulu
with US
It was Saturday, the 18th OF Deem
Der, when we let go anchor in Butari-
| tart. The next day being Sunday. we
| all went ashore to church; that is 10
| say. all the school girls and boys.
! Mr.. WaIkup Mr.. Channon, Miss Foss.
! Miss Wilson and myself. On the way
TO the shore a squall overlook us, and
by the time we got to the stone wharf
everybody was soaking wet. They all
| looked more like drowned rats than
anything else. Myself and two or
three others had the good fortune to
have oilskins on; nevertheless, we
were wet also.
Arriving ashore, most of them con-
cluded to return to the ship, which
they did. after eating up the lunch they
had taken ashore for their dinner
Some eight or more of us weathered it
out, attended divine service, led by the
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
to 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 hard lot of citizens, more es-
pecially since the Catholics settled
there.
One reason there were not more,
was. | suppose, because of the wealth
er 1t 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-
tons of the people, and if we were to
hold our own here we must have men
IN the group who happened to be pos
Tessed of more than ordinary ability.
u is to be regretted that Mr.. Mitchell
had to leave, for he was the fright
man in the right place''-energetic
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
we'll in hand that they feared him.
deeming him 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. I do not believe
thew can fill the place as we'll as Mr..
Mitchell did AS I 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
lance fully 90 miles We went out of
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-
lu. 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
two after arrival the missionaries get
their PROVISIONS
1t must be remembered that the Gil
bert Islands are not overstocked with
the food which the missionaries are
used to. They depend altogether on
what they order to be sent to them.
From the time they order these pro-
visions 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
land their freight on her way down
from Honolulu right on the island
where they are living. It would not
detain her more than a week or so.
It would be only matter of calling at
Tanetuea and Naiana and then on to
Butaritari I doubt if it would detain
the Star as long as have stated. Even
if it should take a little longer, where
would be the odds?
But before proceeding I would like
to say a few words in regard to the
way our Hawaiian missionaries
freight is handled-not in any way to
find fault with the present arrange
ments-but TO make a suggestion by
which every one concerned would be
satisfied-more especially the Hawai-
ian missionaries themselves. This Is
way be devised by which they can
get their goods sooner.
HARRY SWINTON.
ITO be Continued.1