LIVED AS A NATIVE.
MISSIONARY'S EXPERIMENT. Christchurch, Oct. 22. A'oluntarv transition from the life of a European to that of a Melanesian was undertaken by the Rev. C. E. Fox, a New Zealander, who for 17 years has served as a missionary in San Cristoval, British Solomon Islands. His experiences were sketched in a letter which he sent to the Rev. W. J. Howard, another missionary, who read the following extract from it at the annual meeting of (he Melanesian Missions:
"Last January J made up my mind io try life as a Melanesian and I took the pinnae. I performed haimarahuda with Maitiu Taki. 'l'liat is to say, we exchanged possessions. I went' into hi* house and lie into mine, and except a few private mementoes of friends J kept nothing. We ul>o exchanged, name's. This was all agreed to by sale and by ilie (iovernment Magistrate and by the bishop. Thenceforth J lived entirely on native food, never wore a hat or shoes, smoked village tobacco when T could get it, and so on. One month I spent as a cook on a plantation, living with the boys—same food conditions. I started a school there and the bishop has since held a. confirmation. I had to lie up at 4..10 a.m. to light the fire, etc.. cooked, swept out the house, washed clothes, got firewood, and in the evenings talked with the boys from Malaita, C.iiadalcanar, and San Criatoval. I got quite flash ideas of plantsyon life. At Heurii 1 was completely adopted as a native of the place and worked with Them on Government roads. I was written down by the Government as belonging there. My adopted mother cooked for me, adopted creditors dunned me (most complicated debts I fell in for), and so on. Such is the life I have lived. I have never in my life been no happy as J often have been in these months. I have been treated by the Mehinpsians as a .il'elanesian and learned i many things, but. sometimes I have been I very hungry and have had 110 medicine i "I liandnges. Now it. in partly to end. J I am going back to semi-Kuropean food."
Mr. Dnrand said that Fox was a man whom he thought could have made his mark as a scientist in New Zealand. Kncli a work as lie had undertaken was enormously helpful, especially as regards Ibe insight wiiieh lie got into native eharaeter and ways. Tl*e reading of the extract occasioned general applause.
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Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 6
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420LIVED AS A NATIVE. Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 6
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