Notes, on the Herve Islands.

Manawatu Herald, 30 June 1892, Page 2

Notes, on the Herve Islands.

It is possible it may have been forgotten that away to the eastward we possess a British Resident on the group of islands known as the Hervey or Cook islands, This high officer has to report : to His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, and year by year tfie history of this little State is unfolded.

The High Commissioner or British Resident is Mr F. J. Moss, a gentleman who at one time sat in the House of Representatives as the ' member for Auckland. His lot. like the proverbial policeman's is not a happy one, judging by his account of a trip he had to take to secure the settlement of a Native difficulty. He, had to travel by a small vessel that had been locally built, without passenger accommodation of any kind, and with decks muoh crowded. He-was on board three, days. ..-,-JEis return trip was no better though made in another vessel, as her decks were so crowded that it was literally j impossible to move about- without passingover the prostrate forms of passengers. This does not sound well for a'*Lovd High Commissioner ! The government should

lend him the Hinemoa and Admiral . Fairchild. Mr Moss has Hot a high opinion of the clergy, nor have they of him, as one, a noted local orator and preacher, denounced him in the church as wicked, and anxious to break tip* the|r mission" ifcHbjSlsY'Md' do other terrible tilings. v Mr Moss had got the people together 'he told them that though he had great respect for the church the time had arrived when a Government distinct from the Church must be formed, and the chiefs finding that they had been so misled as to the British Rssident's character immediately indulged An a general .rubbing of noses/ <t ~T ;■";'" ■;; .;i/> .5 5 A£ one time the British Eesident must have, thought himself back in parliament again. He had taken the chair at a meeting of chiefs, in which a dispnte arose, which was eventually settled by a compromise afcer a contest of two hours, during which time a dozen . l were,\ou.~ thgir legs violenlly assailing each other at the same time. To have maintained the usual order was hopeless. Letting them exhaust themselves was the only possible course*

A native custom of the island of Aitataki is very curious. If a man quarrels with his wife and leaves her, or vice versa, the, police ■.." put them in irons " as it is called. In other words, they handcuff; the right arm of one to the left arm of the other, and keep them so, often, .for days, till their differences ' are amicably arranged. . ; . „..■■■■ The group consists of seven islands extending at irregular distances over an ocean-area of some 180 miles square. They are on the verge of the tropic, ■ and the. /climate is pleasant and healthful. Though small, they are extremely fertile.. . The British Resident' asserts that Tahiti is the centre of fashion to, the Native race, and he mentions that within his kingdom silk dresses are getting into use amongst the Natives, a considerable quantity haying been sold at 3s 6d per yard. Ostrich feathers (for which as much as two guineas are sometimes paid), and artificial flowers are a good deal used, so that it will be noticed the fig-leaf is going out of date.

The ladifis have " coached " the Commissioner in prints, as he states they must, above all things, be of "fast" colours. He has not niade s it quite clear whether he means the " fast " to apply to style, or recu« tion of pattern.

Poor Natives ! the custom of wearing boots and shoes is growing among them. The retail trader had better deal only for cash, or his life will riot be of much value when, the father of a large family receives hia first bill for boots. It requires ,a longer experience in civilization than these poor people have had, to meet these sort of claims serenely. (To be continaed.)