LIFE IN NEW GUINEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21495, 19 May 1933, Page 12

LIFE IN NEW GUINEA

NOTABLE MISSION FIELD WORK OF GERMAN PRIESTS TUITION FOR 9000 CHILDREN [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, May 11 A noteworthy feature of tho tour of Now Guinea by the Minister for Territories, Mr. Marr, and party, was the visit yesterday to tho Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Mission at Vunapope. The mission iias existed since 1882, and most of the priests arc Germans with long service. There was a great display of loyalty to the Empire, says correspondent of the Sydney Sun. Half-caste and native children who aro educated at the mission wore red, white and blue sashes, and carried Uniori Jacks and Australian flags. They sang patriotic choruses, and a special song, the last lino of each verse ending "Australia, father and friend." In a speech of welcome Bishop Vesters in perfect English, with a strong accent, said:- —"All of us have but one wish, which is to co-operate in harmony under your leadership and tho glorious banner of Australia. All the children are being educated in religious, moral and civic duties, and are imbued with patriotism so as to become worthy citizens. "Wo are most grateful to Australia for tho manner in which she has treated us, and she possesses our fullest loyalty and affection," ho said. When Students Marry

More than 100 priests, sisters and brothers engaged in missionary activities under Bishop Vcstcrs throughout tho territory, in which there were 37.000 Roman Catholics, including 400 native teachers who teach 9000 native children daily. In addition tho mission conducts copra plantations, sawmills, and workshops, and is thus practically self-supporting. Astonishing progress has been made in teaching the children English. Even tho toddlers are learning it, mostly with a German accent. Tho paity also visited tho Methodist mission at Vunaraima, where 200 boys and girls aie being educated as native teachers. Tho mission is largely equipped by a gift of the Minister of Commerce, Mr. F. H. Stewart. The girls are affianced to tho boys, so that when returned to the villages as teachers they will have mates of similar religion, similar tastes, and similar educational attainments, Some of the older students are already married, and soino giris iittend the classes with babies in their arms. The handwriting of most of tho students is copperplate. They are instructed even in the vitamin values of various native foods. Native Ceremonials

At Kokopo the party stopped to witness a native sing-song. Wearing long skirts of coconut iibre and elaborate head-dresses of cassowary, cockatoo and bird of paradise feathers, with their bodies painted and their hair artificially coloured white, red and yellow, tho natives leapt high in tho air and danced continuously to tho warlike beat of kundu drums and the chanting of wild choruses by the women. Members of tho Kombi tribe, from Talasea district, did a ceremonial lili sing-song, such as is used at weddings and initiations; while the Siassi tribesmen performed a sikau, or bush wallaby dance. They believe that the performance of this dance, in which two warriors impersonate wallabies, which are finally enticed within tho reach of hunters by kundu music, ensures that thrj will have good hunting next day.