SOUTH SEA NOVELIST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 215, 10 September 1908, Page 6

SOUTH SEA NOVELIST.

LOUIS BECKE IN WELLINGTON

Louis Becke, the well-known novelist, arrived from London by the lonic. To the many who have read his racy stories of the South Sea Islands, an introduction will not be necessary. To those who have neglected to make his acquaintance through his writings, be it known that George Louis Becke,\who was born at Port Macquarie, New South Wales, in 1848, ranged the South Pacific as a trader and supercargo from 1870 to 1893, during which period he absorbed a wealth of .romance and incident of an entirely original character that has since brought him fame in the world of letters. Perhaps the best known of his books is the first one he wrote, "By Reef and Palm" (1894), which was the forerunner of a score or more of stories racy of the South Seas. Of these one only has to recall "A First Fleet Family" (1896), "Pacific Tales" (1897), "His Native Wife" (1896), "The Trader's Wife," "Rodman the Boatsteeretif' to bring back memories of Louis Becke_ at his best. He was a prolific writer of short stories, many of which found ready publication in the Bulletin. About ten years ago Mr Becke was induced to try his fortune in Engr land. His spontaneity of style and originality of ideas soon found publishers and ar market.

Speaking to a Dominion representa-

tive, Mr Becke said he had not resided in England half the time he had been on the other side of the world. He lived for four years in County South, Ireland, and while admitting that he had at one time a prejudice against Irishmen, he cannot now say enough in their praise—he almost went to scoff, but remained to pray. Then for three years he became a Frenchman, during which time he wrote "Sketches from Normandy." Mr Becke is not only a novelist. He takes a keen interest in several branches of science, with ethnology as his particular strength. His present mission is not, he states, a search for pabulum for further literary endeavour. His is a serious mission, backed by such august bodies as the Royal Geographical Society, the South Kensington Museum, and the Berlin Museum. He is to report to the Royal Geographical Society on the Solomons, will make a collection of the fresh-water fish of the same group for the South Kensington Museum, and make ethnological- collections and investigations on behalf of the Berlin authorities, who are taking a warm interest in his visit; Befoiie leaving London he was assured by the German Ambassador that his way would be made straight in the German islands, and included in the mail handed him on his arrival were welcoming letters from the Governor of German New Guinea, Samoa, and Sir Everard mi Thurni, British Hiph Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

The expedition is expected to occupy twenty months or more. As to definite arrangements, he could not speak with certainty, as he had to consult "with a German doctor, whom he might have to proceed to Sydney to meet by Friday's steamer. The alternative was a meeting at Aucklandj and to proceed north by way of Fiji. Mr Becke is accompanied by his wife and three children. Unfortunately, Mrs Becke is suffering severely from a chest complaint, and will probably undergo treatment in a Wellington hospital.—Dominion.