Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/410

380 FIJI Amy THE rijiAiq^s. After the " Wesley" had successftiUy completed her third voyage among the islands in 1850, it was found necessary that she should return to England for repairs, and to have tanks fitted in her for the cocoa-nut oil which was collected at the diiferent Stations. Several Missionaries and Schoolmasters were wanted ; and it was hoped that these might be brought out on the return of the vessel. To help to defray the expense of the homeward voyage, the native Christians were requested to contribute specimens of their manufactures, productions, and curiosities. To this they readily agreed, and the " Wesley" left the islands with considerable native stores, and sailed for England, calling at Auckland on her way. She arrived in England, with Mr. Lawry on board, in time for him to attend the Annual Meeting in Exeter Hall, in May, 1851. The native contributions which she brought were tastefully displayed at the Centenary Hall, and the sale of them super- intended by ladies, who kindly undertook the task. More than a thousand visitors inspected this novel bazaar, and upwards of four hundred pounds was the pecuniary result. On September 25th, 1851, the "John Wesley" started on her second voyage, carrying, with other Missionaries, the Rev. John Pol- glase for Fiji ; and two trained Schoolmasters, Messrs. Jolm Binner, and William Collis, with their wives. A large supply of necessary stores was sent out to the Missionaries, including household goods, earthenware, iron pots, and Manchester and Sheffield goods, as barter for procuring native produce. In May, 1852, the " Wesley" reached Fiji again, bringing the Rev. John Watsford and family, who had been waiting at Auckland on their way from Sydney to the islands. The next visit of the vessel to Fiji was in the following May, when the Rev. Samuel and Mrs. Waterhouse arrived. It was seen by those who managed the affairs of the Mission, that the time was soon coming when the growing Australian colonies would be able to take upon themselves the conduct and support of the extensive Wesleyan missionary operations in the South Sea. In order to form and mature plans for the efficient establishment of a separate and affiliated Australasian Conference, the Rev. William B. Boyce, who had been in the South African Mission-work for fourteen years, was appointed by the Conference of 1845 to go out in charge of the Society's Missions in Australia and Van Dieman's Land. So success ful were the measures he adopted, and so hearty was the co-operation of his brethren throughout the Colonies, that in December, 1851, the General Committee at home decided that the time was now fully come for the separate establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist Societies in