AN INTERESTING LECTURE

Chronicle (Levin), 9 July 1947, Page 2

AN INTERESTING LECTURE

distinguished visitor to otaki ..i A distinguished' visitor to Otaki, the Rev. Father Verlingue, of the Fijian Caiholic Mission staft, gav2 an interesting lecture on Sunday evening to members of the Catholic Maori Club at Pukekaraka.- The lecturer fnentioned that the theory o:n the origin of the Fijian was that three migrations took place, ihe last one being Maoris from New Zealand, as shown- by the number of Maori words found in the dialect of Western Viti Levu, even though ihe language of the Fijian was Melanesian. The lecturer told many stories concerning Fiji life and customs, the latter being centred round the kava drinking ceremony, an importa'nt feature of Fijian social lifp. All the native Fijians, he said, were Chrsilians, mostly Methodists, with an important minorily of Catholics, and a few Seven.h Day Adventists. Fijian people were deeply religious and enjoyed singing. Much was done by the missions for their education, the Catholic Church having the highest number. of schools. The Fijian Government a-cknowledged the justice of the claims of .the mission schools; it reccgnised them and gave them grants nearly equal to what Government schools received. Pupils from .he mission schools, as welj as from Government schoois, came to New Zealand to further their studies. Some twenty Fijians were at present foliowing various courses at the Auckland University. An impromptu concert was given by the members of the Catholic Club, when some very fine action songs were rendered, and highly praised by Father Verlingue. "