Traveller.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 370, 11 June 1903, Page 7

Traveller.

GARMENTS OP FISH SKIN. Berthold Laufer, the well-known mrß srman explorer, spent two years MSK in obtaining the specimens which are intended to especially illustrate tha decorative art of a hitherto unknown tribe of artists in East Siberia, who, while at present they live in a primitive state, and can neither road nor write, are j producing most astonishing ornamental carvings, designs and embroidery work i equalling, if not surpassing, the hand-work of our best modern craftsmen. This decorative and ornamental work is applied '. to their household utensils, such' as birchbark baskets, wooden trays, tobacco boxes, but more lavishly upon their wearing apparel In the latter they excel, and the finest examples of their decorative skill are shown on these garments.

The most wonderful specimens in the whole collection are some flshskin dresses which are 'worn entirely by tha women. These are ' fantastically decorated with cut-out pieces of fish skin, usually colored blue. The body part is composed of several layers of flshskin and pieces of fis'nskin adapted to the style and form of the ornament desired are then sewn on with fishskin thread. A combination design of a cock and fish are the two forms generally employed. It requires a month or more to make one of these elaborate dresses, and the women strive to outdo each other in this class of work. They do not possess scissors, and all cutting is done with a sharp knife. Some of the patterns are highly colored, and an Amur belle thus adorned in one of these gaudy dresses presents a spectacular 'appearance. SEEN IN ST= PIERRE.

'St. Pierre was one of the most picturesque little cities in the world. I spent a' few hours there once and shall never forget the gay appearance it presented,'' said John A. Hassell. 'The women of St. Pierre dressed more gayly than in asy other part of the world I ever They wore many colors, and, strangely enough, combined them quite harmoniously. ' There was practically no harbor at St. Pierre,' and the ships anchored a short distance out at sea. As soon as our vessel came 'within hailing distance of St Pierre a number of small boats set out from shore. I They were filled with women dressed in gaudy colors, and carrying Sruits, which they offered to the passengers. I remember that many of the women had cocoanuts from which the ends had been removed. Part of the milk had been poured from the fruit and replaced by rum. Cocoanuts prepared in that" way are quite delicious and in great demand with travellers.

* Pew of the people in St. Pierre were pure black. Tha negroes who were originally in the island, the Malays who were brought there to serve as slaves, and tbe French and other white people who located there, inter-married so freely that most of the inhabitants showed only a trace of negro blood. The women were quite dark, but had good features, and many of them were quite handsome. Their clothing was very, unusual. On their heads they wore scarfs of bright colors and their gowns were very i fantastic. All through the city there seemed to be an air of gayety and abandon.

' St. Pierre was located in a small indenture in the shore line and its houses were queer affairs which seemed like a lot of fancy blocks piled up against the side of the mountain. Many of the houses were whitewashed or painted some very light color. They were all short buildings of quaißt-F/ench~ architecture. Nobody worked in St. Pierre any more than was necessary, : There were music and dancing everywhere, 1 and' the immorality of the city will probably lead many paeple to suggest that judgment has been brought down upon the ill-fated city/