The noble work of the martyred Bishop Patteson has been taken up with ardour by his successor, Bishop Selwyn, the son of the first Bishop of New Zealand, who was the early patron and friend of Bishop Patteson-a circumstance which is not only peculiar but seems to augur success for the Mission.

Lord Belmore, Governor of this Colony, visited Norfolk Island in H.M.S. "Virago," in October, 1870.

The Gazette of 28th June, 1878, contains the copy of a report by Captain R. R. Armstrong, R.N., relating to the formation of a harbour for small craft at Norfolk Island. The work inspected by him consisted of a passage then being opened by Messrs. Quintales and party into Emily Bay, at the north-west end of the island. The passage was intended to be at least 6 feet deep at low-water, with a width of 65 feet, the rise and fall spring tides being 6 feet. The harbour or lagoon possesses a sandy bottom, and is completely sheltered from all winds save S.W., in which direction, however, it is barriered by a double reef. Vessels of from 150 to 200 tons could probably be navigated through the passage and harbour when completed.

In 1879 the number of inhabitants at Pitcairn was 90, consisting of 41 males and 49 females; and Elizabeth George, age 88, a daughter of one of the nine mutineers, was still living there.

In an address delivered at Sydney in June, 1883, Bishop Selwyn said that there were missionary stations established at sixteen islands under his jurisdiction; that the staff consisted of himself as bishop, seven English clergymen, and one layman, seven native clergy and between 70 and 80 teachers; that the school at Norfolk Island averaged about 150 boys and 40 girls; and that there were 36 schools and stations in the islands altogether. Norfolk Island is the centre of all this religious effort, and the Rev. Mr. Palmer, who has been twenty years at the work, is the bishop's chief assistant. The "Southern Cross" is still the Mission-ship. The influence exercised by H.M. war-ships in their frequent visits to the islands, and the protection afforded by the High Commissioner and Consul-General for the Western Pacific, who has been exercising his functions since June, 1878, somewhat facilitate peaceable intercourse with the natives.

Whaling, an industry which had almost ceased to exist in the waters of the Pacific, is beginning to revive again, and the whaling ships usually call at Norfolk. The Norfolk

Island Horticultural Society recently held a show, which indicates that the inhabitants of this charming miniature colony have the progressive characteristics of other British communities, and only require time to achieve a respectable position in the world.

THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS.

THE principal incidents relating to the transfer of the Pitcairn community to Norfolk Island should perhaps be briefly referred to here :

In 1831 the Pitcairn community had to fly for a season to Tahiti, in order to escape an impending famine. The British Government helped them to do so. Several of the party died while they were away. Ever afterwards a vague apprehension of the recurrence of a like misfortune haunted the Pitcairners. Consequently, when in 1853 unpromising seasons and a large population seemed to them to threaten danger, they addressed a petition to Rear-Admiral Moresby, of H.M.S. "Portland," begging that they might be removed to Norfolk Island or some other suitable place. A despatch from the Secretary of State to Governor Denison, dated 15th December, 1852, mentions Norfolk Island as a fit place for them to be sent to, and asks for a report on the subject. Accordingly, the British Consul at Raiatea, Society Islands, was directed to visit Pitcairn and Norfolk; and, in a letter to the Secretary of State, dated 3rd April, 1853, that gentleman recommended that the prayer of the Pitcairners should be granted. The Pitcairn Fund Committee were advised of the petition being granted, by communications from the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, dated 14th December, 1853, and 6th April, 1854, and the Lieutenant-Governor of Norfolk Island was at the same time instructed not to allow any other class of persons to occupy the island.

The Bishop of New Zealand, who was in England at the same time, proposed to remove the head quarters and college of the Melanesian Mission from New Zealand to Norfolk Island; and he represented that the buildings which could be spared for the purpose were of a capacity equal to that of all the colleges in the University of Cambridge. The application was referred to the Pitcairn Fund Committee, who concurred in it, on condition that the Pitcairners should be permitted to remain isolated and to retain their own polity, and that no other settlers should be allowed to intrude upon them, at Norfolk Island. This was communicated to the Government in July, 1854. The Pitcairners renewed their representations to the Captain of H.M.S. "Juno," who visited them in 1855, particularly urging that after removal they might be left by themselves, and free to manage their own affairs. The balance of the fund raised by the Pitcairn Fund Committee (£400) was expended by Governor Denison for the benefit of the community after their removal to Norfolk Island. It may be observed here that the laws of Pitcairn Island were very simple, and that Governor Denison followed them in letter and spirit as far as was practicable when drafting his code for Norfolk Island. In May, 1855, Captain Denham, of H.M.S. " Herald," visited Norfolk Island, to wind up the affairs of the prison Colony. While there he improved Bradley's Chart, and also surveyed the island, and supplied some valuable papers on its capabilities, &c. On 6th August, 1855, Governor Denison dispatched H.M.S. "Juno," Captain Fremantle, to communicate the offer of the British Government to the Pitcairners. The vessel arrived at Pitcairn Island on the 12th, and the proposal was adopted in public meeting, 153 voting for it and 34 against it. On 9th April, 1856, the " Dido," Captain Morshead, called and arranged the date of departure; and on 2nd May, 1856, the Morayshire," 850 tons, left Pitcairn with all the inhabitants and their goods and chattels, and arrived at Norfolk on 8th June, 1856. The operations at both ends were supervised by officers of H.M.S. Navy, and a large quantity of supplies were put ashore to start the new Colony. The Pitcairn family at that time numbered 40 men, 47 women, 54 boys, 52 girls, total 193. Governor Denison visited Norfolk Island in H.M.S. "Iris," on 23rd September, 1857, and immediately assembled the inhabitants, read his Commission and Instructions, and caused these documents to be copied into the book containing the laws of the Colony. He then proceeded to New Zealand, and appointed Messrs. Graham & Co., of Auckland, Commercial Agents for the Colony-returned on 8th October-met the adult inhabitants, and addressed them on the advantages and obligations of their improved condition, promising, amongst other things, to plant amongst them a few tradesmen of callings that were indispensable for their convenience and progress; and this promise he redeemed soon afterwards. Each family had assigned to it a house and grounds, 50 acres of land, tools and implements, furniture, and in fact everything that was necessary to equip an industrial Colony. It has been already mentioned that most of the Pitcairners went back in batches to their old home-Pitcairn Island.

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CHAPTER XVI.

LORD HOWE ISLAND.

Discovery of the Island: Captain Phillip, R.N., Governor of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1788-First Settlement: Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1833 -The Island becomes a contemplated penal settlement: Sir Charles A. Fitz Roy, Governor of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1850–Official visit of Water Police Magistrate: Earl Belmore, Governor of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1869-Resident Magistrate; official visit of the Hon. J. Bowie Wilson: Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor-inChief of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1879-Visiting Magistrate: Lord Loftus, Governor-in-Chief of New South Wales and its Dependencies, 1883.

WHEN the British Government were engaged upon the project of dispatching the First Fleet to Australia, they adopted a suggestion which had been made by Captain Cook, that as soon as possible after founding the Colony at Botany Bay a settlement should be formed at Norfolk Island. Accordingly, a week after the inauguration of Government at Port Jackson, Governor Phillip, acting under his instructions, dispatched H.M.S. "Supply" on this mission. The "Supply" was placed under the charge of Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, and the party for Norfolk Island consisted of Lieutenant Philip Gidley King, a small staff, and some servants. Lieutenant King had come out with Captain Phillip as Second Lieutenant of the "Sirius."

The "Supply" left Sydney on 14th February, 1788, and on the 17th fell in with a beautiful island, which Lieutenant Ball called Lord Howe Island. The "Supply" visited Howe Island again on her return, and arrived in Sydney on 19th March, bringing a glowing account of the place. It was also visited by other vessels of the First Fleet in the following May.

As long as frequent intercourse subsisted between Sydney and Norfolk Island, Howe Island, which is situated about midway between the two places, was often visited, and it was from a very early period the resort of whaling ships and trading vessels.

The first occupants arrived at Howe Island in 1833 or 1834, and consisted of three men, accompanied by Maori women and two Maori boys from New Zealand, who were taken to the island by the whaling barque "Caroline."

The late Mr. Richard Dawson, iron-founder, of Sydney, in conjunction with a Captain Poole, a military officer, bought out the first settlers for the sum of £300-Ashdown, one of the number, however, getting an extra £50 for his improvements. Poole sold half his interest to the late Dr. Foulis. The inhabitants then left the island, and were replaced by others, who were sent there by the firm or left ashore by passing whalers. Captain Poole had a difficulty with one of his men, whom he imprisoned in a cask and brought to Sydney. Poole escaped the legal consequences of this act, but had afterwards to buy the man off by paying him some £50.

As far back as January, 1835, the Government began to direct their attention to Lord Howe Island, and sent a surveyor to report upon it, with what object does not appear. The gentleman entrusted with this duty was Mr. H. J. White, junr., an assistant surveyor. His report to Sir Thomas L. Mitchell, the Surveyor-General, is dated 7th January, 1835.

Mr. White's report, which is accompanied with a diagram of the island, being very short and not at all encouraging, probably decided the Government not to make any use of the island at that time.

Lord Howe Island is specifically mentioned in the Constitution Acts, and in various proclamations and Governors' Instructions, as a dependency of New South Wales-the reason of its being thus distinguished from other islands that are dependencies of the Colony being, that it lies east of the 154th degree of latitude, which is the limit of the jurisdiction of the Governor of this Colony in that direction. Its exact position is 31° 30′ S. latitude, and 159° 5' E. longitude, 400 miles E.N.E. from Port Jackson, and 300 miles E. from Port Macquarie, the nearest point on the Australian continent.

The island is 7 statute miles in length, by to 13 mile in width, and contains, independent of its mountain slopes, 2,500 acres of land capable of culture.

Dawson and party abandoned the Howe Island enterprise in 1846 or 1847, partly because they did not succeed in making it pay, and partly because Captain Poole had failed. to obtain the tenure of the island that he applied for from the Government. The inhabitants were thenceforth left to their own resources.

About the year 1850 the island began to engage the attention of Government once more. This was one of the results of the anti-transportation movement. To understand how it became affected by this movement it is necessary to explain the circumstances of Tasmania. That island had become a penal settlement in 1803, and was used till 1813 as a place for the reception of British and New South Wales It remained a dependency of New South Wales till General Darling proclaimed its separation, on 3rd December, 1825. Transportation to New South Wales ceased in 1841, but Tasmania (to which had been annexed Norfolk Island) continued to receive convicts from Great Britain till 1853, being the only Colony of the group that did so.

convicts.

An effort to revive transportation to the Australian Colonies was encountered by an agitation carried on with intense ardour in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, in the years 1849, '50, and '51, under the auspices at first of powerful associations in the different Colonies, and afterwards of one united organization started in Tasmania, which was established in New South Wales on the 1st January, 1851, under the title of the Australasian League. The efforts of the League were not only successful in putting a final stop to the deportation of British criminals to Australasian shores, but, in the popular enthusiasm that prevailed, a new Constitution was demanded and granted, conceding self-government to the free Colonies. This occurred in 1851.

The Act under which Tasmania obtained its complete independence was not however passed till 1st November, 1854; it was assented to in 1855, and brought into force in 1856.

The difficulty of finding a place sufficiently isolated for the detention of convicts, when they were no longer admitted to the mainland, naturally directed attention to Norfolk Island and to Lord Howe Island. The latter island had acquired a small population by that time.

On 22nd July, 1851, Lieutenant-Governor La Trobe, of Victoria, recommended the Colonial Secretary of this Colony to bring under the notice of his Government the desirability of establishing a place beyond the seas for the detention of criminals of the worst class transported from New South Wales and Victoria, and suggested that "Kent's Group," off the coast of Tasmania, should be used for the purpose.