SANTA CRUZ. 247 
Sixteen adults were baptized in 1890 at Nelua, and a small begin- 
ning was made on Nukapu. Natei, the Heathen chief of Nelua, caused 
a great deal of trouble by attempts to blackmail some of the teachers. 
The following year baptisms were held both at Nelua and Te Motu, 
and a beginning was made on Pileni. In 1894 Mr. Forrest made a 
journey in a sailing canoe to the Duff Group, and George Domo con- 
sented to stay and startaschoolthere. In 1895 the baptized Christians 
in the group numbered 116. Schools had been started at three places 
on Ndeni and the Reef Islands had two struggling schools. 
Dr. J. Williams was in charge during 1896 and he staid at Santa 
Cruz for a while with Mr. O’Ferrall during the following year. Daniel 
had done good work at Te Motu, and in 1896 Bishop Wilson conse- 
crated a new churchthere. ‘he first baptism in the Reef Islands was 
held in 1897 at Nifilole; there were two candidates. ‘The next year both 
of the schools on Ndeni were closed, the one owing to the teacher’s sin, 
the other owing to the complete indifference and the practical lapse 
‘into Heathenism of the male teachers. “The two women, Monica and 
Fanny, still persevered and saved the place from complete spiritual death. 
The Te Motu school was reopened in 1898 on the teacher’s repent- 
ance, but nothing could be done at Nelua, and from then on till 
about 1915 Christianity practically ceased at Nelua. Te Motu has 
somewhat relieved the darkness of the picture, but even there the work 
proceeded but fitfully. School work in the Reef Islands was greatly 
interrupted by the constant absences of the men on trading and fish- 
ing expeditions; there was also a lack of good teachers, the boys who 
were sent to Norfolk Island having to return before their time on 
account of ill health. During this year the British Protectorate was 
proclaimed over the group, but the resident commissioner was stationed 
in the Solomons. ‘Traders were now being established on Ndeni and 
steamers were making occasional calls. The following year French 
vessels recruited illegally, but were ordered to return the natives and 
to pay a heavy fine. It does not appear that the punishment was 
enforced, but all recruiting ceased. 
In 1899 George Domo reopened the school on Pileni and a school 
was begun in one of the villages on Fenua Loa. Nothing much ever 
came of this, and the death of one of the school people brought the 
work to an end. A boy, Govili, was sent from Nukapu to Norfolk 
Island, but had to be returned owing to ill health. In t1go00 there 
were 120 baptized people in the group. Inthis year Mr. Nind arrived 
to assist Mr. O’Ferrall. A new school was opened on Matema by 
Andrew Veleio, but the Reef Islands had no teachers for the women 
and the men were forever travelling about. 
In rgor the first confirmation was held in Santa Cruz, at Te Motu, 
there being 14 candidates. Nimbi, a village close to Te Motu, sent 
four boys to Norfolk Island and new boys were obtained from Negailo 
