THE ISLAND OF AILU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 44, 25 November 1871, Page 4

THE ISLAND OF AILU.

When the Corypheus was wrecked the captain and crew made for the island of Ailu. Captain Rae gives the following particulars with reference to the inhabitants, which we take from the “ Rockhampton Bulletin.” He saw about seventy men on the island, besides women and children. He thinks that if a missionary were sent among them they are a race that would soon christianise. Even now they are exceedingly pleasant in their manners, and evidently very fond of their children, who are very docile, and whose regard for and obedience to their parents make them a pattern worthy of imitation by some children brought up in the midst of civilisation. Captain Rae experienced much kindness aud attention from these people, and totally objects to their being denominated “ savages.” They must have previously seen white men, as they could say “ very good, ” had what appeared to be an old American hatchet in their possession, and picked up every scrap of iron from the vessel with avidity. With copper, however, they seemed to have no acquaintance, as they allowed it lie untouched on the beach. The only quadrupeds seen on the island

were two native cats, besides the two cats and two pigs landed alive from the Corypheus, and left there by Captain Rae As the pigs were male and female, it is possible that a breed of these useful animals will be established in the group. There was a moderate supply of cocoanuts on the island, and in addition, a fruit that the captain had never previously met with- It is about three inches m length, has a hard skin, and grows in large clusters. The islanders grind it up with their teeth, which appear to be destroyed by the process, as a native with sound teeth was scarcely to be seen. They also grated the fruit referred to on hoop iron, and dried it in the sun. Captain Rae was induced to taste it as thus prepared, and found it not unlike bad dates, which can scarcely be esteemed palatable by a European. The sailors, however, occupied many of their leisure hours in masticating a large roll of the preserved fruit, which was kindly presented to them by the islanders on leaving. Ailu is a mere islet, and the captain believes that some of the men he saw came from the other islands in the group, all of which are believed to be inhabited by the same kindly race. They wear a grass covering fastoned round the loins, and appear to he healthy and moderately robust, despite the poorness of the food on which they are compelled to subsist. The Ailu people appear to be of Papuan extraction. They live in native dwellings, the ground floors being covered with mats, and having a sleeping apartment above, as is found in the habitations of the natives at the extreme north of Australia. Captain Rae thinks the group well worthy of the attention of one of the missionary societies, believing the natives would receive missionaries kindly, and be easily induced to embrace Christianity. Apart from any advantage occurring to the islanders from the presence of missionaries, it is not improbable that as the Pacific trade increases other distressed mariners may be cast away on the Marshall group,in which case the assistance and influence of a missionary would be very valuable, and might be of important service in the preservation of both life and property. The archipelago is a little to the westward of the route from China to southern Australia. Captain Rae reports discovering the vestiges of a wreck which occurred there many years ago, when it is probable the natives were brought in contact with Europeans for the first and last time within the memory of the present generation, at least.