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prevented to a great extent, by the state of the weather, from prosecuting their labours.
A vigorous constitution, and the gift of tongues, would be indispensable qualifications in missionaries to this group. The small tribes and the diversified languages must be met and dealt with as they best can; but the sickliness of the climate may be remedied, and it must be remedied before any permanent good can be effected. New Zealand is only from a week to a fortnight's sailing from the New Hebrides, and were an Institution established at or near Auckland, to which a part of the missionaries at least could come from the New Hebrides with a select number of youths, and where they could instruct them in English and other branches of learning during the unhealthy and hurricane months, which are the finest months in New Zealand, they could return and labour in the New Hebrides during the healthy and pleasant season there, which is the winter season in New Zealand. The most healthy might remain, in rotation, in charge of the mission stations during these months. Were arrangements of this kind made, the health of the missionaries might be preserved, as far as local influences could affect them, and, like birds of passage, they would have perpetual summer all the year round, and might prosecute their labours from year to year without any serious interruptions. The greatest objection to this plan would be the extra expense. It would involve at least double the expense of an ordinary mission; but it would prove the cheapest in the end: each missionary would do twice the amount of labour he could otherwise do; his health would remain more vigorous, and his life would be prolonged for a much longer period. The most difficult and expensive part of the plan would be to secure a suitable vessel at the proper periods. Two or three missionaries located on the extremities of such a group can carry on their operations only under great disadvantages: it would require a band of men furnished with every requisite to make any thing like a deep, speedy, or permanent impression upon a race of men so savage and degraded. The Missionaries in Samoa recommended to the London Missionary Society some years ago, that if they wished to evangelize the New Hebrides, they must send at once ten or twelve missionaries, and furnish them with every requisite for the field and the work, otherwise little good could be done. The London Society could not at that time carry out the suggestion. Whether the Presbyterian Missions in conjunction with the London Society may be able to undertake operations that will tell upon the whole group, remains yet to be seen. These remarks, however, are rather suggestions than matured plans. Where so little comparatively is known, farther experience might lead to both modifications and changes in the most feasible modes of present operations. It is probable, that by attending carefully to the laws of health, in the selection of sites, and in the construction of dwellings, and by other preventive measures, less injury might be sustained from atmospheric influences, and more simple and efficient measures might be adopted.

The encouragements for prosecuting missionary labours in the New Hebrides are, the naturally mild disposition of the natives generally, when their passions are not excited; their energy of character (they can apply themselves to labour with great vigour and perseverance); their aptitude for acquiring the English language; their present strong desire for missionaries to live among them; and their confidence in the British character. This is shown very fully by the readiness and often eagerness with which they embark on board of British vessels. A year or two ago the “John Williams,” missionary barque, obtained three young men at Erumanga and took them to Samoa. Last year H.M.S. “Fly,” Captain Oliver, brought a young lad, a chief’s son, from Fate, who was taken back in the “Havannah.” A second young lad, also a chief’s son, was obtained by the “Havannah” at the same place in Fate, and two from Erumanga, and one from the Solomon Islands offered, yea, even entreated to be allowed, to go with the vessel, without any promise of being sent back. Some years ago a native of Aneiteum hid himself in a vessel from Sydney, in order to get away in her; his friends being against his going away and the captain of the vessel unwilling to take him. The progress that has been made at Aneiteum is highly encouraging. To say nothing of the more direct evangelical effects of the mission, there is now the most complete security for life and property throughout the whole island, and a greater degree of safety on portions of the contiguous islands; which was not the case two years ago: it was with difficulty then that the Presbyterian missionaries were allowed to settle.

In the event of an Institution of the kind referred to above, being established near Auckland, the youths brought to it would be in general the sons of chiefs and persons of distinction, and their influence on their respective tribes when they returned would necessarily be powerful, and would operate favourably in begetting a friendly feeling towards the persons and the interests of British subjects.

I have thus, at your Excellency’s request, furnished a report of my missionary tour through the New Hebrides. The interest that your Excellency takes in missions generally, and the anxiety you have expressed for the christianizing and civilizing of the natives of these islands in particular, as being so contiguous to New Zealand, are my apology for the length to which I have extended this report. I shall feel most happy if the information it contains shall be of any service in guiding you to apply successfully the means placed at your disposal for promoting the interests of humanity, civilization, and commerce in these islands—for elevating the degraded aborigines and securing the life and property of British and other subjects—and