LIFE IN THE SOLOMONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20744, 11 December 1930, Page 16

LIFE IN THE SOLOMONS.

AUCKLANDER'S RETURN. PRAISE FOR MISSIONARIES. A.resident of Takapuna, Mr. J. O'Neill, who sailed from Auckland on May 10 on the auxiliary schooner Navanora, of .41 tons, returned to Auckland yesterday by the Southern Cross after spending six months in tho New Hebrides and Solomon Islands. The Navanora had an uneventful voyage, reaching Vila, in the NewHebrides, 30 days, after leaving Auckland. Mr. O'Neill spent six weeks on Reef Island, in the Swallow Group of the Solomon Islands, being the only white man on the island at the time. He spent his time fishing and pigeon shooting, fish, pigeons and wildfowl being his staple diet. . " The water at Reef Island is almost unhplievably clear," said Mr. O'Neill. " You must be able to see two chains down on to the coral reef, which is like a-peep into paradise with coloured fish as/ clear as celluloid fish in a toy shop window. The natives dive for shells and green snails and do not seem in the least worried by sharks." Crocodiles aro numerous in t lie group and Mr; O'Neill brought homo with him the skins of three he had shot. Fishing with a rod and running line was not very successful as. the fish cut the line on the sharp coral. Mr. O'Neill was very enthusiastic about the good work done by the Melanesian Mission medical service. " There would bo a bad state of affairs in the islands if it were not for the missionaries," lie said.