THROUGH THE ATOLLS AND ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 4

THROUGH THE ATOLLS AND ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

(Scotsman, November 9,1569.)

From its cover, "Through the Atolls of the Great South Sea " (by F. J. Moss) might be a boy's book of adventure. From its title it might be a naturalist's account of coral islands. It is neither of these, though it is as fascinating as the one and as full of valuable information as the other. It is the record by a New Zealand colonist and legislator, of many years' experience in wandering among the islands of the Western and Eastern Pacific, begun so far back as 1868, when he went as one of the early settlers and planters in Fiji. The freshest portion of his reminiscences, however, are those which he made a few years ago in the trading schooner of an Auckland firm, which made a long round of the old stations among the "lagoon islands," and sought at the same time for the sites for establishing new places of call. On this trip he " crossed the equator six times, visited more than 40 islands, and returned to hear of deaths and changes, of Russian and German and French wars narrowly averted, of Irish excitements, and of other events thathad stirred thegreat world," but of which not the faintest echo had reached the little world of the atolls and lagoons. South Sea life aud South Sea business have changed utterly 6ince the good old days cf " concoanut oil, • beche de mer, and general wickedness." " Copra now is king," and the former order of things has disappeared." The traders of today—British and German—are almost a saintly lot compared with their predecessors of the " Bully Hayes" type; although Mr Moss wishes that some of them " would take a friend's advice, swear less and be more careful in speech," even whilo charitably putting down the excrescencesin their talk as " a mere bad habit" ot old sailors. He has preserved some rich and curious recollections of the good old wicked times in the South Sea, and on the whole one cannot regret that this " age of romance " has come to an end. What has succeeded it on the islands is not much of an improvement, to the islanders at least. They are in danger of being wiped off tho face of the earth, by the joint action of alieu virtues and vices. Mr Moss speaks with high respect and admiration of the missionaries, but points out that under their hands the Polynesian race is threatening to "die of inanition." Where they have their way, not only is drinking tabooed, but smoking is inhibited, the accordion and jews-harp are proscribed, playing-cards ars contraband, and games and amusements of nl] kinds, except going to prayer-meeting and debating iv the " turi" house, are discountenanced. Among the Mauibiki natives " the Sabbath was observed with peculiar rigidity. They kindled no fires and smoked no tobacco, attended church services (five in the day), and spent tho rest of the day listlessly lolling upon their mats and sleeping." Mr Moss asks—Can this last ? Can human nature stand it ? And he calls for a change of system from one which has striven to eradicate all the old pagan beliefs and practices by suppressing as evil the native gaiety and lightness of heart of the islanders, if they are uot to be improved ofi the face of tho earth. Another cause of change is the progress which German trade aud influence is making in the Pacific. Everywhere, he says, the natives would prefer, if they had a voice in the matter, to "turn Peritane"—come under the British flag; but the Germans arc more awake to their opportunities and less scrupulous in turning thrm to their own trading and political advantage ; and the result is that their commerce and flag are now dominant over a large part of the South Sea. It would seem that it is the Australian aud New Zealand colonists — whoso natural domain of traffic and influence undoubtedly includes these islands—that most need wakening up. If they show enterprise and knowledge equal to those of the Germans, the mother country will be sure to see that they have equa fair play,

—Between Marseilles and Lille—adistance of SJO miles—the sinking amounts to lOin annually. If this movement continues, the northern part of France may in a few centuries become submerged. It may here be mentioned that off the coast of St. Malo, in fine weather, fossilised trunks of trees may be seen at the bottom of the sea, indicating that these parts were once above water.

I —Within a radius of six miles of Hamilton there are, says the North British Agriculturist, according to a rough calculation about 2000 ponies and horses used underground, the value of which would amount to about £20,000, mid which require an annual expenditure of £50,000 for their upkeep. They were drawn from nearly all parts of Northern Kuiope. The Highlands in times past I'mnished the greater part of. the animals required, but at present those available and suitable from these districts were very few, and consequently dear.