Island Conditions

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 7, 9 January 1936, Page 11

Island Conditions

AUTHORESS FROM TUI As the wife of a district medical officer in Fiji, an Englishwoman, Mrs W. WOrger, who has been visiting Auckland -with her husband, has opportunities of seeing and experiencing things that are well away from tho routine of the average life of a woman (states the Star). She has to live for months at a timo miles away, from civilisation, and on one occasion was stationed on

an outlying island, with only natives for company. It was during this time that Mrs W-orgcr, who is a writer under tho name of Biddy Worgcr, wrote her "Dusky Ladies,” which was recently published. In spite of the various disabilities, said Mrs Worger, life in Fiji was quite attractive—once you were used to it The natives were a charming people. The men worked on tho sugar plantations, but tho girls, who did not want to work, and had no desire to earn money, did nothing at all, apart from singing and enjoying a good gossip. They were quite useful, however, at minding babies. The domestic service problem was solved by the Indian servants, who were excellent cooks. Labour, said Mrs Worger, was not as cheap as was generally supposed, £6 to £7 a month being paid to an Indian servant.

Mrs Worger was full of praise for tho high-born Fijian woman. Tho womenfolk were used to eating alone, sitting cross-legged on the floor, and the way they managed an unaccustomed knife and fork with superlative dignity was a -wonderful thing. The women of rank in Fiji could givo iessons to many a European.

The food problem was a difficult one in many ways, especially when far away from the town. There was no ice, and tinned foods had to be relied upon. Native vegetables such as tho yam, while was like a potato with a chestnut flavour, were used. A kitchen garden was not practicable as the seeds mildewed with the heat and moisture, though lettuces could be grown quite successfully. In speaking of tho beautiful hibiscus, which grew' profusely in Fiji, Mrs Worger said that for decorations it was used in a clever way by the natives. They striped the leaves off a palm spino and threaded the head of a flower on it; the effect was most attractive. Mrs Worger was delighted with Auckland gardens. “You see flowers wherever you go,’(.she said, “and I can’t think why excellent perfume should not bo mado in New Zealand.”

Besides "'‘Dusky Ladies,” Mrs Worgcr lias had two otlier books published. They were “A Page from Life,” and “Bessie the Bus.” It was from the latter that the film “Friday the I3th” was taken. After her vacation of several months in Auckland, Mrs Worger left by the Aorangi for Suva. So charmed was she with the city that she intends to return for a full tour of the Dominion on a future vacation.