QUAINT SCENES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 14

QUAINT SCENES

Lord Stonehaven in New Guinea

Picturesque scenes and ceremonial decorations greeted the Australian Governor-General, Lord Stonehaven, who, with Lady Stonehaven, undertook a nine hours’ motor trip between Kara and Kaveing, in New Guinea, on July 22. The entire length of the shaded and croton-lined highway was in splendid condition, native villagers and planters having joined forces to ensure that it would he a credit to the district. All villages were elaborately decorated and festooned with ropes of perfumed frangipanni and ornamental shrubs ot red, green, and gold, which . grow in profusion throughout New Ireland, and have a certain ceremonial significance among natives of the territory. The New Irolanders have an inherent talent for decoration, which was particularly evident in the adornment of the “House Kiap’’ (official rest-house), where fringes of split cocoanut fronds were pressed into service to transform a rough native structure into an inviting arbor. The whole length of the road was decorated with arches of greenery in honour of the King's representative. Road Lined by Natives

It is doubtful whether one native man, woman, or child missed the opportunity to pay respects. The road was lined with human beings from Karu to Kavieng. Lord Stonehaven halted at intervals and made acquaintance with Luluais and other village officials, many of whom were able to converse with him. Their Excellencies called at the mission stations en route. The mission house at Logagou, a little over half-way to Kavieng, was particularly attractive, being situated beside a stream and beach near a well-built native village, which is famous for the construction of elaborate “malagans,” weirdly intricate carvings, usually from single tree trunks, in which representations of birds, animals, and fish are curiously blended. Former Moon Worshippers Having examined excellent specimens which had been prepared by old men at Logagon, Lord Stonehaven heard a German missionary of tie Sacred Heart, Father Finck, discourse interestingly regarding the origin of Malagans, which Father Finck reclamed was still a mystery even to the natives themselves. Father Finck, who has spent 16 years without intermission in New Ireland, told Lord, Stonehaven that the present natives’ ancestors were moon worshippers, and that investigation of their customs, language, and folklore had convinced him that the carvings, dances, etc., ah originated in moon worship, which has now being forgotten by the nativesThe New Irelanders have now beea entirely Christianised by the Roman Catholic and Methodist missions. The natives divided their attention between their Excellencies ana H.M.A.S. Albatross, which, escorted W planes, was visible from the road practically the entire distance from Karu to Kavieng. Glorious weather P re * vailed until near the destination, where heavy rain was encounteredThe party lunched al fresco at Fw* milak village, where the natives ex celled themselves in decoration. TP •_ eagerly produced curios of native a