A Fairy Tale Examined

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 32, 10 August 1905, Page 18

A Fairy Tale Examined

Some time ago a fairy tale trom far Fiji was set afloat in New Zealand. It concerned the pebple of N<avosa, whose conversion from Methodism to the Catholic faith made such a stir two years ago, and gave rise to such romantic versions of the burning of Bibles at Naililili. ' They have come back again.' So, in effect, the story ran. But investigations made on the spot, on our behalf, by independent inquirers, disclose results which go to show that, in the story of the secession of the Navosa, the wish was probably father to the thougjht. Our welWnformed informant characterises the story as 'an absolute lie.' The letter from which we quote goes on : 'So far from there being fewer Catholics in the district, there are many more. The Bishop and Father Nicholas have just returned from the -Navosa district, where they baptised some hundreds.' Our informant was not, at the time of writing, able to give the precise figures, but said that ' Father Nicholas's arm was nearly lame with the work,' and adds 1 that ' the Bishop planted a great cross on the top of the highest mountain in the district,' which serves as a landmark and a sign to the natives for leagues around. Here is another extract from the letter : ' The Fijians mal e excellent Catholics, and do not turn about. * . They often say that the Catholics take little money -and do far more for the 'people— build schools, educate them, etc'