The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-12-21
Missionary Letter
from the once famous Gold
Camp of Australia

DallaIUt, NlCtOtla, AnsNINllui NOV. 10
Editor BANNER.-The following is
brief sketch oi my experience rs
missionary: After spending a week
with relatives and friends, babe adeu
to my home and loved ones on the first
day Of the present year, and left Salt
Lake City five days later, in company
with Elder +. r.. Barker (who has since
been appointed to preside over this
mission) for A australia, via: Vancouver.
Owing to seasickness did moo enjoy
my voyage extra well, but was very
much Interested in visiting some of the
islands OF the Great Pacific. Honolulu,
the principal city OF the Sandwich
Islands, being the first and chief place
Of interest after leaving Vancouver
conveyed to me most paradaisic APP
pearance after oight days of seasickness
casting my eyes abroad to observe moth.
ing but the rolling waves OF the bound
less deep. We mounted bikes and took
in all the sights time would permit.
Ferns and foliage and vegetation in
general are the most magnificent it has
been my privilege to see.
The natives Of the Fiji group, which
wa. our next stopping place are very
peculiar race. They are large muscular
type. The dress OF the men consists OF
a sort Of brtch- clout and the opposite
sex Of a thin mother hubbard blouse
both wearing their hair, which is very
coarse, from four to six inches in length
standing straight out some OF them
dyeing it with kind OF lime to q light
brown or yellow, which, with their
black skin, gives them most singular
appearance. In this group they grow
quite variety OF fruit.
We next visit Wellington, New Yea
land,, which is a very nice little town,
but did not get to see any OF the Maories
as they live mostly back in the country.
On Sunday ,nerning, February 6, we
sighted the Sydney heads. 1t is grand
sight sailing irom the heads up to tie
wharf. which is about six miles. Tor
beauty, ,hink the sydney harbor is
second to none.
As the boat was about twenty-iour
hours ahead OF scheduled time there was
no one at the wharf 20 meet US, but
after search OF several hours we sue
ceeded in finding President Andrew
Smith, Jr., and others. Was in Sydney
about week before knew where | was
to labor. Visited the geological
Gardens and other places Of interest.
The population Of Sydney is about $780,
900 The streets are very narrow
and running in every conceivable
direction.
l was appointed to labor in the
Victorian Conference with Elders w
W. Barton (who was shortly afterwards
released) and 4. l.. Reese, both of Salt
Lake. went by boat to Melbourne,
the population of which city is slightly
larger than that Of Sydney, where met
Elder Barton aud after few days sight
seeing came to Ballnrat, whose popula.
ton is 40 900, where Elder Reese and
have been engaged in the work OF the
Lord. Prejudice and opposition went
very much against US at first, but rs the
people are becoming better acquainted
with us and our doctrines we are max
log q great many friends and have quite
number OF honest investigators and
expect ere long to baptize some into the
fold. took trip up through the
country some weeks ago distributing
tracts. etc. on my way. had very
successful trip.
believe throughout the Australian
{ mission the works in more promising
condition than it has been for SONS
I years.
II any OF your readers have friends o.
rele,ivss in this part would be PLEASED
q 10 call on them.
9 Wishing the people OF Lehi, including
n the BAsYER. 8 happy Christmas AM
= prosperous New Year, I am
9 Yours very truly,
u Charles d. Fox,