MISSIONARY AND TRADER IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 581, 10 December 1897, Page 4

MISSIONARY AND TRADER IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

The following transcript of an extract from a letter written to a Sydney merchant by an English trader living on one of the South Sea Islands lias been forwarded (says the Westminster Gazette) to an Australian now in England : “ Things are goeing verey Bad down here Now business is verey bad and lotts of sickness amon the Natifes and I beleive a lott want to Die just to escap paying the Taxes. Since the Government come here (annexation to Great Britain) the natifes arc hardder to Get on with than they over was since I been here. There is a new Natife missiuary comemg here next year we have three here now and onily one is any good the other 2 are D Lofers and put on more Frill than a White Bishop. But they cannot make the Laws now and try to fine us Traiders for Smokeing of a Sunday as They did before the Commisner came to live here. 1 had a letter from Harry pitman in tho Marshalls (Marshall Islands) last mouth the natife missionary's is pretty bad -Their, Harry went aboard a german Ship to by somo dinermite and a few Plates and came Back drunk and Laid down on the Sofer and Went to sleep wen in oome tbe Natife techers wife aud ses to Harrys wife your man as been and got Drunk your a Liar says Ilarrys wife bes only Tyred. So off gose the teachers wife for her Husband to come and smell Harrys Breth but his Wife woak him up and when the the Natife teacher comes in Harry hit him on the Nose and now they are At logerhods agane.”