SIR WALTER BULLER AT THE ISLANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3260, 18 October 1897, Page 3

SIR WALTER BULLER AT THE ISLANDS.

CAPXUBB OP AN ENORMOUS £ SNAKE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, October 16. Sir Walter Buller returned from the Islands last night. At Wakayea, Fiji, he had an opportunity of exploring a line of reef with its submarine Orest of coral, which he describes as wonderful beyond conception. At the end of a fortnight he returned to Suva, and with young Mr Thurston’s aid he succeeded in making a valuable collection of native birds and butterflies. Ashes and shells, besides obtaining some very rare native orchids. At Makaya he captured a Fijian snake of phenomenal size, being, nearly seven feet in length. Captain ■Langdale, E.N., during his 15 years’ residence on the island had never seen anything of the kind, and at Terulle it was regarded as a novelty, the natives . coming from far and near to see it. The oldest white'inhabitant could scarcely credit that it was an indigenous product. Sir Walter took it to Samoa with him for the purpose of forwarding it alive to the Zoological Society of London, but no favourable opportunity presenting itself he brought it here for the Auckland Museum. At Samoa Sir Walter had an interview with Malietoa, with whom he was greatly impressed, but owing ,to the death of Tukuaho (Minister for Lands) at Tonga ho was unable to see the King of Tonga. Sir Walter is writing a paper on coral reef formations for the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. He endorses Mr Percy Smith’s views as to the early home of the Maori. His movements are not yet determined, whether to go to Wellington on Monday in connection with the Horowhenua case or to stay over a week in Auckland. He was delighted withthe trip and he speaks highly of the Union Steam Ship Company’s arrangements.