FRENCH CERCLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1446, 22 May 1912, Page 11

FRENCH CERCLE.

AN INTERKSTINGTECTIJRE. . .A Iftctnre of much interest was given ' by Father Cornet, of Otaki, at the French Cercle yesterday evening, on tiie .subject of Samoa. Shortly after iho festivities lielit in honour of the Duke and Duchess .of York (now our present King and (Jiieen), Father Cognet was authorised by ilia Superiors' of his Order to visit; the Polynesian missions. Father Cornet <lescribed in a very interesting manner liis arrival at Samoa, and his entertainment at a Kreat Icava drink given in honour of Hie visitors. -Many inleresliiig, customs of the Samoans were recounted, particularly ' the rites connected with the brewing of tlio kava by the maidens charged with the administration of the. cominitnal hospitality. A portion of the lecture was devoted to a description of the long struggle between the partisans of Malictoa, Mataafa, and Tamasese, and an eloquent tribute was paid to Matnafa for liis chivalrous cessation of hostilities against the Germans on the occasion of the destruction of the American and Gorman warships at the time of the great hurricane at Apia. The lecturer was listened to by a large and appreciative audience, and, at it> close, a hearty vote of thanks was passed by .acclamation. The French Cercle affords an excellent oportunity to those people who are anxious to acquire a knowledge of the French language and literature, and, in consequence, is exclusively increasing its membership.