Page:A few facts in connection with the Employment of Polynesian Labour in Queensland.djvu/6

4 are zealous Churchmen, earnest religionists, generous subscribers to evangelistic effort, is probably as great as in any other business or professional class in the community. To show how the moral welfare of the islanders when in Queensland is cared for, I will cite a few of many cases pointing out the deep interest that is taken in imparting the truths of Christianity to them, and the great success attending such efforts.

Mrs. Donaldson, the wife of a planter, and her husband, at Mackay, according to the testimony of the Rev. Alex. C. Smith, convenor of the Foreign Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, erected a large hall on their plantation where four nights every week they hold services and instruct 150 Kanakas with great devotedness and success. Sixty-six of these "boys" were in the course of thirteen months, after searching examination, baptised by the Presbyterian Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Mackintyre, the Kanakas subscribing on less that £20 to the mission funds. Mrs. Donaldson wrote to the Australian Christian World: "My labour of love has been a very encouraging and pleasant one. I believe that the 'boys' are easier to win and that mission work is consequently more successful here than in their own islands, and for this reason, that they are away from their heathenish prejudices and superstitions. I had a letter from a missionary (in the Solomon Islands) quite lately, and he spoke of the good behaviour of some boys returned from Queensland."

Mrs. Balfour, of Farleigh, Mackay, another planter's wife, gave up every Sunday to instructing the "boys" on her plantation.

Mrs. H. J. G. Robinson, of Marian Plantation, Mackay, has for the last twelve years devoted herself to missionary work among the Kanakas of that district, and hundreds of Kanakas have passed through her hands, and it is a notable fact that the majority of these are steady and reliable men and women. Her school is free to all. Large numbers have been baptised and others confirmed, their preparation for the latter ceremony being undertaken by their teacher to the entire satisfaction of Dr. Barlow, the Bishop of the Diocese, who puts the candidates through a strict examination.

On Sunday, 17th December last, thirty South Sea Islanders were confirmed by his Lordship, Bishop Barlow, at Holy Trinity Church, Mackay.

Miss Young, daughter of another of Dr. Paton's maligned planters, Mr. W. Young, of Fairymead, devoted her life to the evangelisation of the Kanakas of the Bundaberg district. When Miss Young left Australia to go as a Missionary to China, a meeting was held in the Victoria Hall, Bundaberg, to bid her farewell. At that meeting 722 islanders were present, all of whom were able to recite portions of Scripture and to chant hymns they were taught by this devoted lady. Several of these boys so influenced, when they returned to their islands; of their own accord began classes for their countrymen."—"Speech by the late Mr. W. Adams, M.L.A., in Queensland Parliament."