COLOUR AND ROMANCE OF THE TROPICS,

Shannon News, 14 August 1928, Page 4

COLOUR AND ROMANCE OF THE TROPICS,

MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING IN AFRICA AND SIGHT-SEEING IN THE EAST. MR H. E. ANDERSON'S LECTURE.

A description of an adventurous tour, which embraced Africa, India, Burmali and part of the Dutch East Indies, was given by Mr H. E. Anderson, with the aid of a large number of lantern slides, in the Century Hall last evening. Although the night was a bleak one, the attendance was good. The lecture was arranged by the Levin-Waiopehu Club; and the vice-president, Mr G. L. Adkiu, presided, and suitably welcomed the speaker. Mr Anderson stated that, in the travels which he made last year, his first objective was the Victoria Falls, in Rhodesia. From there he went to Kenya and Uganda, and climbed the snow clad Ruwenzori Mountains, situated within ten miles of the equator. He next crossed the sea to India, viewed several temples, and went on to Burma, Singapore, Java and Bali, and thence home to New Zealand," THE VICTORIA* FALLS. The pictures, which were well projected, covered a wide variety of subjects. The first shown '-was that of a Zulu, and in commenting on the African natives generally Mr Anderson said he had found them VCI T fine fellows, very cheery and very reliable. A number of vieAVs were shown of the Zambesi River and its wonderful Victoria Falls, and of "the mighty gorge and the bush-clad country of the neighbourhood. " The water falling 400 feet, causes- a tremendous spray, shot with rainbow effects, and the natives call the falls by a name which means "The Thunder that Smokes." • Above the falls is a rain "forest, where there are. quite a lot of ferns resembling those of New Zealand, and where the trees grow to a height of about 20 feet, The ; | rain, caused by the.condensation of the ascending spray, is continuous and \ "waterproofs" are no protection to | the traveller who penetrates the forest. "MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON."

Of quite unusual interest were the series-of views depicting an expedition into the heart of the Ruwenzoris, or "Mountains of the Moon." Describing his entry into Uganda, the lecturer stated that he travelled by car over excellent macadam- roads. The British Government had carried out extensive works, and the motorist could not wish for better country to travel in. During the road trip the long-horned domestic cattle of Uganda were seen. The horns were five or six feet in length and as much as eight feet between -the tips* The beasts were quiet, but very curious, and as they turned their heads the motorist had to watch where the horns were going. * The natives drank the milk of the cows of this species, mixing it with blood which they drew from the animals by an apparently harmless process. The expedition to the mountains was made by a party of four, including the lecturer, accompanied by 40 native bearers and six native trackcutters. One of the pictures showed a hillman ' s hut at an elevation of 4000 feet, a structure without doors or windows. These huts, to which the hill natives retired at night, ivarmed by smoky fires and lacking ventilation, were a prolific cause of severe cold? and pleurisy. The base camp of the partv was 'shown, its altitude . being il,sooft. Despite this altitude there wa s an abundance of bush and other vegetation. Another camp was established at a height of 14,800 ft, where respiration became difficult with every exertion.- Owing to the diminished atmospheric pressure, water boiled at a comparatively low temperature. It took three-quarters of an hour to boil an i egg, and cocoa could be drunk without ! discomfort immediately it boiled, 'The party were not able to reach the highest peak (16,500 ft) owing to the illness of one of their number. ELDERLY WOMAN'S PLUCKY VENTURE. A remarkable fact mentioned by Mr Anderson was that a lady of 60 accompanied the climbers to their highest limit (15,500 ft) and exhibited less of the effects of altitude than, any of them did. A striking view was shown of the Scott Elliott pass, which leads from Uganda to the Belgian Congo. There were several pictures of glaciers, which, the lecturer explained, are not quite the same as those of New Zealand mountains, being more in the nature of ice-falls. They contain dangerous crevasses opening into caverns of unknown depth. Two of the party were shown ascending a glacier in their final attempt on the peak, and one of the climbers wasthe old lady, cutting steps in the ice. Included among other African views were the Victor Emmanuel Range and the source of the While Nile. THE PEARL OF ARCHITECTURE. A fine series" of pictures was presented of the Taj Mahal at Agra. This monument, as is well known, was erected in the 16th century by Shah Jehan in memory of his wife. Authors and poets have trfied in vain to express adequately its beauties, Jfhe main building, which covers the tomb, is 187 feet high and is constructed of white marble, with decorations and inlays of. semi-precious stones. The British Government has taken great care of this gem of architecture, and its freshness is un dimmed, as though it were but recently constructed. What is not so generally known is that the work was carried out by an Italian architect and Italian sculptors imported by the Sultan; and it ia said that when the master craftsman completed the edifice his eyes were put out so that he should never build another to rival it. A BURMESE PAGODA. After leaving India, Mr Anderson went to Rangoon, in Burmah, where he obtained photos, which he showed, of the colossal Shwe Dagon pagoda. It stands on the summit of a hill and is surrounded by 287 shrines and prayerhouses, some of which contain fabulous wealth in jewels., As liberal offer-

ings are made by devotees and contributions are also received from tourists, the pagoda is kept in an excellent state of repair, and is constantly-kept glistening with an overlay of gold-leaf. As indicating the magnitude of the mass of structures, the lecturer stated that it had taken him an hour to walk round them. -. BOEO BODUR—SHRINE OF MYSTERY. Another marvellous sight • taken in by Mr Anderson in his travels was the mysterious temple-shrine of Boro Bodur, in Java. This vast circular pyramid, flanked by terraces containing stupas (bell shaped shrines), was built by Hindoos about' 700 A.D., but beyond, this fact little is known of its history* The carvings with which it is adornedf represent a very high stage of artistiG development, and -its very existence denotes the presence, centuries ago, of a dense population. It is .built of volcanic stone and is remarkably well preserved considering its age. Like the Shwe Dagon .pagoda, it crowns the summit of a hill. In each of the many stupas there is a carved figure, and the poses and expressions of all the sculptures are life-like to a degree. The most interesting to Western eyes of the panels in bas-relief of which pictures were shown last evening was one portraying a ship unmistakably like the vessels in which the Normans sailed.to. England. ISLAND OF BALI. From Java Mr Anderson went to the island of Bali, another Dutch possession, only twelve hours' journey distant. Bali is remarkable for its cock-fighting, its dancing girls and its imposing funerals. Many striking pictures were shown of these and other phases of life on the island, and the lecturer's account of the extent to which colours entered into the life of the people, through their costumes and highly decorated festivals, must have created something like a wanderlust in the hearts of thosewho were privileged to hear his racynarrative and view the kaleidoscopicphotographs projected on the screen. At the conclusion, Mr Adkin moved! a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ander* son' for his lecture* which had given great pleasure to.the gathering;, and the motion was carried by acclamation. The lantern was manipulated by Mr J. Logan, secretary of the Levin-Waio-pehu Club. Mr Anderson generously gave his lecture free of expense to the Club.