FROM FAR PERU

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 6

FROM FAR PERU

Travels of Scottish School Mistress ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND After spending over three years at Lima, in Peru, Miss Janet Maofarlane has come to New Zealand to take charge of Selwyn House, Christchurch. This is the first school in the Soutli Island to be established by the Parents’ National Education Union. Miss Macfarlane, who comes from Edinburgh, has had a most Interesting time in Peru. She was head mistress of a school which was run by the British and American colony in Lima.

“Although the social life there is bright and cheerful, I would not advise anyone to go to Lima,” said Miss Macfarlane on the lonic this morning.

She said that the British in Peru are allowing themselves to be pushed out by Americans, Germans and Italians. Great Britain could have had the whole of the trade, but she has not consolidated her position.

Shipping, commerce, mining and sugar are the principal activities there among the foreigners, and Americans are swarming into the country. Great Britain lost a good deal of prestige when she supported Chile during a war between that country and Peru. Miss Macfarlane says that Peru is an enormously wealthy country, but as yet it has not been properly developed. There are very few roads and only one railway. Great mineral wealth exists and there is splendid agricultural land, though this is in the fertile valleys over the Andes and almost inaccessible. Freights in crossing the Andes are so costly as to he ruinous. The old aristocracy of Peru believes itself to be descended from the Spaniards. The women are very beautiful, very smart and always follow the Parisian fashions very closely. They have very tiny hands and feet and big liquid black eyes. The men are good looking, smartly dressed and very polite. Miss Macfarlane says that ‘manana’ is the favourite word of the Peruvians. It means “to-morrow.” Everything will be done “to-morrow” when the Peruvians are asked about it. President Leguia, the present president of Peru, is the only man who has introduced the word “to-day” into Peru, said Miss Macfarlane. He was doing a great deal for the country and was attempting to build roads. During his regime there had not been any revolutions in this once tempestuous country. Miss Macfarlane will leave almost immediately for Christchurch to take up her duties at Selwyn House.