PACIFIC LOTUS-EATERS.
LIFE ON UNION ISLANDS.
INCURABLY LAZY PEOPLE.
By Tcleeranh— Press Association—Coprrisht
Sydney, January 9. A ratheb lugubrious account of his " kingdom" is given by Dr. Hoare, British Resident at the Union group of islands, north of Samoa, who is visiting Sydney. He and a trader are the only whites in the group. He describes life as being deadly monotonous, and himself as being dumped amongst a lazy lot of good-for-nothing natives, whose language is foreign to him, and with whom he has nothing in common. There are about 1000 natives in the group, and they closely resemble the Samoans. They are nominally Christians, but, according to Dr. Hoare, their religion is only skin deep. They are peaceable folk, but morally frail and incurably lazy. The islanders have developed a passion for card playing, and euchre parties are held all day and night.
A little copra is manufactured, and, when sold, the proceeds are expended on luxuries. Their other crops yield sufficient to supply their wants. The group is a haven for those content to pass the rest of their days " the world forgetting, by the. world forgot."
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 7
Word Count
189PACIFIC LOTUS-EATERS. New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 7
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