Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/412

 382 FIJI A^T> THE FIJLAJS^S. great skill and daring in carrying the Missionaries and Agents from place to place. Boats were also provided, which proved of great use. But need was strongly felt, as the work extended, for a vessel much smaller than the " Wesley," and larger than the canoes, for the longer voyages, and visitation of brethren in lonely and distant Stations. In 1847 an agreement was made with the Christian Chief, Elijah Verani, for a share in a schooner of seventeen tons, which he was then having built. Afterwards this became the exclusive property of the Mission, as Elijah had a smaller schooner presented to him by an American firm trading in Fiji. Eor some years this schooner proved of great use to the Missionaries, and saved them from many dangers and much painful inconvenience in their journeys to and fro. An excellent boat fully rigged and equipped, was built and presented to the Fiji Mission by Mr. William Dawson of Sunderland ; and was taken from London, in September, 1858, free of expense, by Captain John Williams, of t]^ '- " La Hogue." When the General Superintendent visited the islands in 1«^47, the Missionaries laid before him a subject which had long caused them great anxiety. Their families were increasing ; and, as they grew up, there were no means of educating them. The time of the parents was fully occupied by the urgent business of the Mission, and the children were surrounded everywhere by influences of the most undesirable kind. Instances had even occurred in which the children of Missionaries had learned to speak in the language of the people, while an acquaintance with that of their parents was never gained. The same evil had been felt by the Missionaries in the Friendly Islands ; and, in concert with them and the Wesleyan Missionaries in New Zealand, a scheme was considered at the Fiji District Meeting, for the establishment of a school in New Zealand for the children of Missionaries stationed in Polynesia. It was resolved that a proprietary school should be organized by the Missionaries of the three Districts, the shares being fixed at £20. JNIr. Lawry, who had no children of his own to be benefited by it, took several shares, and helped the matter forward with all zeal. The Mis- sionary Committee in England fully sanctioned the scheme, and, in addition to a liberal grant of bedding, and school apparatus, sent out the Rev. John H. Fletcher, who, as well as Mrs. Fletcher, was highly qualified to take charge of the school. The building was completed and opened in November, 1849, under the name of " Wesley College." The children were conveyed from the several Stations by the " Wesley," free of expense. The establishment thus auspiciously commenced has answered its