PIONEER OF PACIFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19133, 26 September 1925, Page 2 (Supplement)

PIONEER OF PACIFIC.

MISSIONARY IN SAMOA. TUTOR OF STEVENSON. MAN WHO CORRECTED DARWIN. Interesting experiences among the natives of tho Samoan islands, and in terestirig memories of Robert Louis-- Stevenson, to vv'tiom ho taught tho Samoan language, aro included in the memories of Mr. S. J. Whitmee, who is now living, at. the age of 87, at new Barnet, England. Mr. Whitmee, in spite of his great age, is still in vigorous health and able to indulge in long walks. In his early manhood he did much pioneer missionary work in Samoa. In one case, where he succeeded in winning the confidence of the natives, the work was so dangerous that the missionary, who had made an earlier attempt, had to leavo the island hurriedly within a few minutes of landing, or the lives of the whole party would have been in jeopardy. It was on March 23, 1863, that Mr. Whitmeo and his wife left England for Samoa, boarding a sailing vessel at Gravesend. Landing at Samoa on a Sunday morning, Mr. Whitmee had a pleasant surprise on tho following day when ho re-

ceived a visit from Robert Louis Stevenson. One of Mr. Whitmce's cherished possessions is a signed portrait of the famous author, to whom he taught the Samoan language. He has also preserved a number of characteristic notes from "R.L.5.," who described himself variously as "The class," "Tusitala," and "Your unfruitful pupil." While in Samoa Mr, Whitmee had many opportunities for the study of nature, and did considerable original investigation into the' habits of rare birds, fishes and other creatures. His research into the ways of fishes led him' to differ from the conclusion of the great Darwin, who had declared that " fishes aro of a placid and unemotional nature." . / From tloso observation Mr. Whitmeo found that, on the contrary, in cap tivity at any rate, they were most quarrelsome creatures, and Darwin frankly acknowledged the correction in, later issues of the book in which, his original statement had appeared. Mr. Whitmeo has presented no fewer than 1258 specimens of fishes, birds, bats and other creatures to the Biitish Museum, and also contributed many curious plants to Kew Gardens.