THE SOUTH SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1935, Page 2

THE SOUTH SEA

MISSIONARIES’ EXPERIENCES SYDNEY, June 25. Missioitai’ies who come to Sydney from the South Seas on furlough or at the end of their labours often hav t > had stirring adventures ami exciting experiences, but it is doubtful if ally has had •a more eventful career than the Rev. Fat Fer L. Ghaizo, of the Marist Mission Society, who has arrived here. He gave a, vivid account’of his 24 years’ mission experiences in the wilds of the island of Bougainville, New Guinea. Together with Fathers Seiller and Griswaort he has dared death on many occasions and by courage, porsevoionce and belief in his work over the years, 25,000 natives have been converted to Christianity. .When he lust set off in search °f a tribe which had never seen a white man. Father Glume took with him as his guide i.i native who admitted shyly that he had often eaten human flesh. “] was armed with nothing hut a walking stick,” said Father Chyize“As we approached the village natives armed with spears were lurking in the hushes and the trees. They could not ho seen, but by instinct wo knew they were there. T expected them to rush out at us any minute, b ll t they allowed ns to walk into their village. “Finally, when the natives saw- that I meant no harm they surrounded me, and curiously, but cautiously, examrneo mv body. They had never seen a white man and were amazed at m.v skin. T»ev lifted up my shirt and poked and pinched the skin oil my chest, hack and arms, unable to believe their eyes. The only time in my life when T shivered in my hoots was when the big chief

came along and felt the Fat on mv arms and legs, and remarked in his native tongue. ‘Big fat feller.’ 1 honestly thought my last hour had come, and 1 had visions of being put into the proverbial pot." Father Chaise said that after producing his usual “box of tricks” — matches, pocket-knives and mirrors — he felt more at case, as the attention of the cannibals was directed from him to other curiosities. The natives regarded 'him as a friend after he had distributed mirrors and matches, which they childishly .played with for hours. Once or twice <n man fingered Father Chai/.o’s spectacles to see if they wore ipart of ids face, hut the priest managed to hold on to thorn. Father Ghaize remained with' the tribe lor three days. On the third day members of another tribe visited the village. They constantly smiled anil laughed at him, and this was regarded by his boy and the chief of his newlymade friends :>s an evil omen. It was suspected that the other tribe was going to kill him. All that night 150 natives, armed with spears, stood guard. o\oi him, and the next day he set off, under escort, on the way hack to the coast. ( Sometimes, said Father Chaizc, it was necessary to carry a shotgun for self-defence. In the mountains tbe natives were terrified by the report of