STORY OF OMAI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1942, Page 4

STORY OF OMAI

FIRST SOUTH SEA ISLANDER TO VISIT ENGLAND. FRIEND OF CAPTAIN COOK. The first South Sea Islander to visit England was Omai, a native of Raiatea. in the Society Islands. He' was brought here in 1774 by Captain Tobias Furneaux, R.N., who commanded the Adventure jn Captain Cooks second voyage. A ’living descendant of Captain Furneaux. Rupert Furneaux, told oveiseas listeners, in a recent talk in the 8.8. C. series, “Calling the Islands,” that a picture of Omai, a print by the famous engraver, Barto!ozzi, hangs in his home to this day. In the picture Omai is shown with, his stbol under his arm. “Beneath the picture,”,Rupert Furneaux said, “we keep the stool itself, as solid and as beautful as when Omai carved it from a single block of wood. With the stool are his paddle, clubs, and other possessions.” It appears that the explorers chose Omai to make the visit to England both for the enlightenment of his people and because it would give the people of England an opportunity to see and hear something of the land where English sailors had been made welcome. In England, Omai became the sensation Lord Sandwich, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and Sir J oseph Banks, the scientist, made much of him. He was taken everywhere. He met Dr. Johnson. He was taken to Kew and presented to King George 111., but,. Mr Fyrneaux added, “to the alarm of his tutors he forgot all the fine speeches they had taught him and could only blurt out a simple “How do, King Tush” (his pronunciation of “George”). Omai’s natural dignity and his manner charmed all who met him. A diarist wrote of him: “His manners arc so extremely graceful, he is so polite, attentive and easy . . . . ” In October, 1777, on Captain Cook’s third voyage, Tahiti was reached and Omai was landed at Huaheine, after an absence of four years, and was greeted by his brother, and sister. On parting from Cook, Omai could not restrain his tears. Cook was killed on his way horfie. Within 21 years of his departure Omai died of sickness. Cui into the outside of Omai’s house is an inscription recording Cook’s visit.