SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 200, 22 August 1905, Page 2

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

"A Trip Round the South Sea Islands" , is the title, of a lecture before the Ponsonby Literary Society last evening by Mr. d J. Parr. Mr. Parr said that the Island trip was a delightful one, and the expense trifling. The first group was the Tongan Group. Here was to be found the residence of the Rev. Shirley Baker, who was at one fjiiie-l£ihg .of the Islands. He referred tb the beantiral groves "and avenues there, the enormous waste of oranges, etc., although a laige export trade was maintained. The vegetation was very luxuriant, and the climate very delightful, to the tourist, but it makes the native veiy indolent. The native men and women were very fine in stature. Trade existed chiefly in copra and fruit. He regretted that the bulk of this trade went to Sydney, and not to Auckland. He referred to the amusing incident of a short time tgo, when "-. r e , ■ -•+• J, 2u- • * - , -fras transported to Fiji. Hanbai was noted on account of its being the headquarter* of the Wesleyand mission at the beginning of the century. He was delighted with the beautiful harbour of Vavau. which he thought was second to none iv the world. A French mission had been established on the island for 57 years. Mr. Parr was very pleased with the beautiful singing and dancing by the natives. Passing on to Samoa (German), Mr. Parr compared this island with Fiji, and said there could be no doubt of the superiority of British colonisation over the German. It was at Samoa that ihe Calliope made such a name for itself. Here is the grave of Robert Louis Stephenson. the great Scotch novelist. At Papro Pago, belonging to the United States, Mr. Parr noted that all was done by New Britain and Solomon Islarders. Fiji had a beautiful harbour, with a coral breakwater. Here thouisnnds of Indian coolies are imported to jeu't the sugar cane, and these people j will overrun the island shortly. Mr. i Parr referred to the great desire of the natives for litigation, and remarked that an enterprising young lawyer'could make himself independent in 15 years' time on this account. At the clost a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Dart, and seconded by Mr. Aldridge, for the delightful address of Mr. Parr. In "reply the lecturer thanked the Society, and congratulated members upon obtaining such a fine hall for their meetings, and I wished the Society every prosperity.