NOVEL APPLICATION OF WHITEWASH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2321, 25 August 1880, Page 3

NOVEL APPLICATION OF WHITEWASH.

A missionary stationed at one of the South Sea Islands determined to give his residence a coat of whitewash. To obtain this in the place of lime, coral was reduced to powder by burning; The natives watched the process of burning with interest, believing the coral was being cooked for them to cat. Next morning they beheld the missionary’s cottage glittering in the rising sun, as white as snow. They danced, they sang, they screamed with joy. The whole island was in commotion. Whitewash became the rage. Happy was the coquette who could enhance her charms by a daub of the brush. Contentions arose. One party urged their superior rank ; another obtained possession of the brush, and valiantly hold it against all comers ; a third tried to upset the tub to obtain some of the precious cosmetic. To quiet the hubhub, more whitewash was made ; and in a week not a hut, a domestic utensil, a war club, or a garment but was as white as snow ; not a pig that was not whitened ; and even mothers might ho seen in every direction capering joyously and yelling with delight at the superior beauty of their whitewashed babies.- “ Chamber’s Journal.”