HOME OF FLIRTATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3562, 29 June 1912, Page 3

HOME OF FLIRTATION.

AN ISLAND INHABITED BY COQUETTES.

Samoa is the “island hame of flirtation” (says a traveller). The girls are noted for tlieir beauty. They are coquettish in an artful manner that would grace a- female product of the hearfc of civilisation. In fact, by their gentle allurements they" may be said to have an aggressive part in the courtship. A few glances and ano less bewitching smile often tell volumes for them. They could teach many an Austalian girl how to win a man without making too obvious advances. They would even be equal to the task of “popping the question” in leap year.

In Samoa the problem of courtship often depends on the number of fine mats which the girl can produce. These include the main part of her dowry. Unless a girl can get these mats she has as little chance to he courted as has a poor girl to wed a title.

But a young man must prove himself worthy of all these mats, and this ho does by being tattooed,' which is a long and painful operation, though 1a man of courage can always endure pain for the girl he loves. But all this splendid decoration does not win linn the girl, for it is her parents that lio must court. As soon as a girl’s parents see that he is in earnest, the family, and, if necessary, all the relatives, get together and begin the important work of collecting flue mats and native cloth.

The young man must bear his part of the burden by getting together pigs, canoes, a home, etc. If he lias not this wealth he asks his family and his relatives to assist him. If the families have wealth and social position, the wedding always takes place in an open place surrounded by fruit trees.