COLYTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 246, 14 September 1935, Page 13

COLYTON

(From Our' Own Correspondent.) COLYTON, Sent, 12'. A lantern lecture and missionary address was given in the hall when a good audience gathered to enjoy a talk by Air W. iiiekenboltoni. a rnissioner on furlough from Sudan. With the assistance of Air Hart, in charge of tho lantern, and by means of a large selection of slides, most of them taken by the lecturer himself, Alt' llickonbottom gave an interesting description of life in the Abri, Hubcn, Tabanya Tira, and Tora districts, telling srories of tribal customs and supersitions that seemed almost, incredible. The lecturer <polcc of his work amongst the Nubians, the original blaek race, who still live in a primitive state and practise fetish worship. The diseases from which the. people sulTered, among them being leprosy and foyer epidemics, were very severe, and their treatment at the hands of witch doctors was worse than the ills and particularly revolting. The people suffered liarn 'i a.~o from locusts and •'for pests and torrilie dust storms, and a quaint uisto n was pyac tised when tho natives did their planting, five seeds being used in place of one, two for the ants, two for tho rats, and one to grow. Many strange features of native life, marriage customs, tribal markings, and odds and ends of life in tin's dark corner of tho earth were recounted, while the speaker also spoke of the fear the natives continually lived in of raids from Arab tribes in search of slaves and plunder. The lecture followed with keenest interest and at tho close the speaker was accorded hearty thanks. Air Whitehead, of Feilding, also addressed the meeting and appealed for subscribers to the mission.

Air J. Crook occupied the chair at the meeting of tho School Committee. Others present, were Messrs H. Woodman (secretary and treasurer), P. Alitchell, and G. L. Jensen. The headmaster (Air Alathcws) reported that on account the epidemic of whooping cough in the district, the attendance was very much below the average. General business was discussed and it was decided to repair the boundary fence which is in a had condition. Accounts amounting to £b were passed for payment.