IN THE SOUTH SEAS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 18 June 1927, Page 21

IN THE SOUTH SEAS

A TRADER'S ADVENTURES

DELIGHTFUL TRAVEL BOOK

"Life aa'd Laughter 'Midst the Can- ■-. ■ nibals." By C. W. Collinson, F.8.G.5., London: Hurst and Blaekett, Ltd. From Angus and ; Kobertsdn, Ltd., Sydney.

The opportunity is not given to many men to roam about the South Sea Isiands, and to still fewer is given the ability to write of their adventures in the attractive manner in which Mr. Collinson does. It was apparently just luck that took him in the first instance to the Solomon Islands, but it was a fortunate event for those who must perforce satisfy their longings for travel by reading the books of the more lucky ones. One must say at the outset that Mr. Collinson had no hairraising adventures amongst cannibals— ■>nly once was he in danger of being the main dish of a banquet, and the danger on this occasion was more ima ,'inary than real probably. But he ■rod his companions in their trading expedition had.in the I space of a year or two more adventures than is the usual lot of a man V whole life. These in eluded a sojourn on a desert island, with but one tin of prawns as food, and many a like experience. AH these Mr. Collinson describes with a decidedly humorous touch which makes the book delightful reading. Incidentally he dispels the illusion that a white man's life in the South Seas is a lazy one. The men do not spend their time drinking whisky and being made love to by unnaturally beautiful native girls. The truth is that the white man in tho tropics is as a gen-raJ'rule extremely hard-working, and fairly moral. THE MISSIONARY QUESTION. All Mr. Collinson's book is not on the flippant and humorous side. He is a keen observer of nature and of native life, and must- be listened to with respect when he {jives his considered opinion on the missionary question. "Only those who have actually lived there can have any conception of; the true position," he truthfully remarks. His conclusion is that "as a general rule the net result of mission, teaching is to spoil an honest savage." If missionaries confined their activities to strict mission work, and less to trading the point—would be better, but such is unfortunately not always the case. "Those who most closely confine their activities to their own proper sphere of religious instruction possess, in corresponding measure, the affection and regard of the men who come into contact with them." NAURU ISLAND. Of this delightful book not the least interesting part is devoted to the valuable Nauru Mand. As New Zealand has a considerable interest in the phosphate deposits found there, and as the value of these deposits was made known U the world through the agency of a New Zealander, these chapters have an added interest to people in the Dominion. '.'.'.

It is with regret that one lays down the book when the author has returned to England and civilisation. One would like to' hear more of his companion,. Mr. Phybus, or Pye, whose one and only simple conjuring trick was enough to make him a denii-god amongst the cannibals. And of all the delightful stories told in the book none can surely excel that about the German spy and his series of remarkable adventures which culminated in his escape, from England. Without its photographic illustrations -'.'Life and Laughter 'Midst tho ''Cannibals.-. would be one of the best books of- its kind; with them, it is hard to think of one better.—H.W.M.