Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/408

378 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. in the English work at home, he offered to go for the rest of his life to the scene of his former labours ; an offer which was gratefully accepted by the Missionary Committee, and resulted in the appointment already mentioned. Mr. Lawry arrived in Sydney in January, 1844, and had the satisfaction of sending at once two young men — Messrs. John Watsford and David Hazlewood — to reinforce the Fiji Mission. The General Superintendent then proceeded to New Zealand and fixed his hotae at Auckland, which thenceforward became the head quar- ters of the " Triton," a suitable piece of land on the shore being granted by the Government for the shipping and housing of Mission stores. Already the " Triton" had exceeded the four years' stay among the islands for which she was prepared ; and it was found that she had saved the funds of the Mission to such an extent, that, after all her expenses were deducted, she cleared her original cost, to say nothing of the great increase of comfort and convenience which her regular visits had secured to the Missionaries. But a larger vessel was needed. The " Triton" could not carry a year's stores for all the Stations ; and when she went to Sydney to fetch Mr. La^vry and the new Missionaries, she had to be re-coppered before returning to the islands, and thirty tons of goods, which she could not receive, had to be freighted in another vessel at great expense. The Mission had been greatly helped by the presence of the " Triton ; " and during the Rewan war she render invaluable service in the removal of the Mission family and printing establishment, among circumstances of great peril. As she was now to return to England, the Missionaries sent home an urgent request that a larger vessel should be sent out, and that Captain Buck, the clever and zealous commander of the " Triton," should be entrusted with her. The force of the appeal was duly felt by the Missionary Committee, and orders were given for the building of a fine brig of two hundred and fifty tons' burden. The work was mtrusted to Messrs. White and Sons, of Cowes, who did all that could be done to insure accommodation for passengers, and adapta- tion in all respects for the peculiar service on which the vessel was to be employed. John Irving, Esq., of Bristol, exerted himself inde- fatigably, and generously devoted much time to the superintendence of the building. The " Triton" was sold ; and the proceeds of the sale, together with her earnings during her voyage, were enough to pay the entire cost of the building and equipment of the new brig, which was launched on the 23rd of September, 1846, and named the "John Wesley."