THE MARQUESAS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3135, 18 September 1922, Page 8

THE MARQUESAS.

If you want to get the Robinson Crusoe fooling, go to the Marfjucsts Islands. You will have to join a 10-ton schooner with a native crow and the vovage wlil take you 20 day* Ironi Tahiti— 1000 miles. Mr 1). G. Coleman, oi the Carnegie Institute. Washington, went to the Marquesas, and he says he never tolt more like being Robinson Crusoe in Ins life. The vessel runs from Latmi twiee a vear. Soon after leaving Jahiti Mr Coleman decided to take the bearings for himself, and the native captain was delighted to be relieved oi the responsibility. In return Mr Co oman was given the captain « berth. I was pleased 1 got that bunk, said Mr Coleman, "because the decks were soon awash." , , „ The inhabitants oi the Marqueste aie Polynesian, and their physique is Wonderful. The girls between the ages ol 15 and 20 compare favorably with European girls, and are "very beautiful. They keep their hair nicely dressed cocoa nut oil. , . , "There were only two other white men-botanists-on the Marquees when I was there," said Mr (..lonian "You see the native in almost his original state, and the visitor IS taken at ft* par value. As soon as you go 'among them you begin to share eventhing with them. If a native catches, a fis h he will share it w. hj you. I had my first meal o fraw hsh there, and it was very nice. . "The islands are now under I'reiicli control, but for some years past the education of the natives lias been neglected. Toucan tell the age ol a native Uv seeing whether he can speak a little French. If he can. he is sure to bo between 25 and 30. "French missions used to be active in tho islands, but no one seems to trouble now. The boys and girls of lo or so know no French. They are not educated at all." According to Mr Coleman elephantiasis, leprosy and consumption are the diseases most prevalent in the islands. ''Tint." Mr Coleman went on. "the native is not afraid of leprosy or elephantiasis. He knows he can live to a good old age with cither, but with tuberculosis he is cut ofF early, and that is why he fears it. In 1896 there were 6000 "natives, in 1900, 4300. and now 2000. The race soon will be extinct. They are the most wonderful tattooers in the world —they surpass even tho Maoris. The Marquesas natives tattoo the entire body, even to tho eyelids. Thev do it with a fishbone."