LIFE IN MELANESIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 10

LIFE IN MELANESIA

VISIT BY AUCKLANDER Observations and experiences during a voyage through Melanesia in the old Molanesian Mission steamer Southern Cross wore described by Mr. A. 1\ Pvcroft, lecturing at the University College last evening, at a meeting arranged by tho Auckland Institute and Museum. Professor H. W. Scgar presided over a. large attendance. Tho address was illustrated by many photographic slides, showing life in tho many islands visited, and it was concluded with an interesting motion picture Ono thing which immediately impressed a visitor was tho deep "knowlodge of plants and grasses possessed by tho natives, who wero consequently able to make a full use of the materials at their disposal. Mr. Pjcroft explained tho varying native types, houso construction, vegetation, customs, and natural life encountered, and he commented on the curious artificial islands which were constructed by some natives. On theso islands villages wero built, and there was a. population of 200 on ono island, Sulu-Vou. Their somewjiat vigorous existence made theso particular islanders a hardy people