NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 8, 4 March 1925, Page 34

NOTES

By Eileen Duggan

A Glimpse of Tonga One had some months since the privilege of receiving . the works of his Lordship the Bishop of Tonga, who visited this country last year. The Bishop is from Provence and his writings are in his native tongue. It is with his work on Tonga that one will deal here. Many have chosen to write of the ocean islands, and their books have found New Zealand appreciative.,. This book, Chez les Meridionawc Su Pacifique, because it is written in French has found its audience in France. Bishop Blanc explains that the title of his book is merely a translation of the native word, since Tonga means the south. Will the author forgive a halting translation of a paragraph of his preface?

He explains that if he had chosen he might have made it a book of romance. He chose, like Daudet, to write the strict truth, the thing seen by the eyes of himself or of others equally dependable. “The Ocean with its isles is a vast field lying wide to the imagination. Here, I have limited myself to dealing with fact as I have lived it, of things as I have seen them, or as eye-witnesses have shown them to me.”

There is scarcely an aspect of Tongan life that is not touched upon. The author has brought to his task a mind purged of love of worldly possessions, a mind stored with the riches of the classics. Palestine, Rome, Provence, Oceania are echoes of them all in this book on Tonga.

Any mention of the ocean islands brings a memory of his countryman, Loti. The author himself mentions Loti’s descriptions in a paragraph of fine French prose:

“Pierre Loti has confessed his discouragement when he tried to describe the charm of the islands of Oceania. He defies the reader to understand until he has heard the plaintive sound of the flute of Pan or the faraway murmur of a sea-shell at night on the white coral shores of Polynesia.

But this strange sadness which, according to Loti, broods over all the islands of Oceania, is-it truly the breath of the poesy of things? Is it not that the poet believes himself free of it, while it flows from his own heart? Without doubt the majesty of the ocean is shaded with sadness wherever a land arises from its waves. But these groan of Nature in travail, these sighs that she breathes for the deliverance of the last day are heard by men under every sky. Everywhere life and death are in combat. And if the effort of the creature towards a state more perfect has something more of pathos in Polynesia, it is because a race is dying there.” i m A penetrating passage, that! At first sight it would seem that the author by writing it was disproving his own correction of Loti. On second reading the mournfulness disappears, and the calm arid resigned declaration of , the way of nature, of the impulsion of life, the inevitability of death stands out

clearly, almost triumphantly. “No man at all can be living forever,” says old Mauyra in Riders to the Sea. It is the same thought in different words but the sad under-surge of the sea underlies them both. They have gone to school to the sea. So Loti was not utterly wrong.

Descriptions

As an example of the quickwittedness of the Tongans he relates this story:

“An old Catholic happened to be at a Kava party where divorce was discussed. A non-Catholic, a fine speaker, believed that he had proved its legitimacy, and for a final •stroke said, “Besides the Gospel declares that if your hand scandalises you you must cut it off, and if your eye scandalises you you must tear it out. Consequently, an intolerable womanone must separate from her.” And the old Catholic replied: “It is true. But though I am not very strong in religion, I do not believe that the Gospel says to replace the hand cut by another hand, or the eye torn by another eye.”

He describes the copra industry, and the shark fishing. Everyone can enjoy the old chief’s description of how the shark come at his call. “I cry ‘ Haou (Come) Haou ’ until they come. This time I had not called as long as the hen that has laid an egg when the first shark showed itself.

“ When it appears you must soften your voice and say to it, ‘ Malie ’ (Very

good). Then when it is a little nearer, ‘ Tafoki atou ’ (Return), and he turns as if to

go. One says again, ‘ Maliou mai ’ (return right hero). And he returns to his station by the boat. One of Us puts a little roast pork on a bit of wood. Meanwhile 1 make compliments to the shark as he waits, ‘ Oh how lovely your skin is, how nimble your fins! How sweet are your eyes! Come to our feast that is preparing for this evening.” The shark listens with one eye on the pork it is presumed. He raises his head, and 10, the noose is thrown and there is one shark the less in the maw of Hine moana.

The day the first shark does not answer the crew returns and there is no fishing that day. The Bishop explained to them that the tapu or rather the violation of tapu by which they explained their failure was a fallacy fathered by cunning. They appear receptive.

The Human Touch On that same fishing expedition the crew went out of sight of land, and one young Tongan sailing for the first time lay flat in the boat and wept when he saw the rim of the shore sink away.

Anbther young Tongan was dying. He was only eighteen, and so calm, so beautiful before death that the Bishop was touched to tears. One can imagine the scene: “Seizing my arm, he said with a great as-

tonished smile, 'Do not weep.' Then he died, singing a hymn." • There are other stories like that, giving their virtues. On the other hand there is pity but no blindness for their -faults.. They are children, he says, loving, grieving, laughing, mocking, in a breath. " i' !a *f I*^lßl Their legends are set forth, too, gracefully and tenderly. Well might the Bishop of Quimper and Leon say of his confrere : "Vous racontez en historian, et vous decrivez en pocte."

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN The students of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, assembled last week to resume studies after the Christmas vacation.

By permission of the Health Department the Christian Brothers’ School re-opened on Monday for pupils over sixteen years of age.

There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the eleven o’clock Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, many attending in adoration during the afternoon. His Lordship the Bishop officiated at Compline in the evening; and in the procession and Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The usual monthly meeting of the men’s Confraternity of the Sacred Heart was also held, the attendance being remarkably good.

Lenten evening devotions at St. Joseph’s Cathedral include Posary and Meditation on Mondays and Tuesdays, Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays, and Stations of the Cross on Fridays.

His Majesty’s Theatre and annexes have been definitely engaged for the De Lux© Carnival and spectacular display entitled “Mexicano,” to provide funds for the erection of a new convent for tile Dominican Nuns of the North-east Valley. The opening date will be March 23, and the carnival and stage performances are to be continued for 15 nights.

Arrangements are well advanced for the annual national entertainment in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. As in former years, this popular concert will be given both at Burns Hall in the city and Town Hall, South Dunedin, the performers being motored between the two halls and presenting a similar programme. The promoters have been successful in securing the services of some of the best local talent, so that patrons will be favored in having an evening’s entertainment of rare excellence staged for their enjoyment. Mr. and Mrs, J. D. Woods, who left by the north express on Saturday, to join the Maunganui at Wellington, on a holiday trip to America and Europe, had a cordial sendoff at the Dunedin railway station. Relatives and friends in large numbers, among them being his Lordship Bishop Whyte, assembled to wish them a final bon voyage, and those popular citizens received a .farewell which will be a pleasant memory to them during their lengthy tour abroad.

We do not ask in the name of our Ma-stei what we ask otherwise than by our Master’s rules.—St. Augustine.

Invercargill (From our own Correspondent.) February 28. The Children of Mary spent a very pleasant day at "The Rocks," Riverton, last week. Last year they motored to and fro —rather a big undertaking for such large numbers. This year the train came to their assistance by running at a very suitable hour. The weather was beautifully fine and one and all benefitted by the day spent at the seaside. Next Sunday will be the general Communion day for the Children of Mary and the Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament. All are expected to be present in choir dress. Two ex-pupils of St. Catherine's College Misses Charlotte and Gladys Petrieleft Invercargill last week for London, to continue their studies in painting and singing respectively. Both pupils deserve the praise meted out to them lately by the Invercargill public, and if they pursue their studies in the Old Country with the same earnest application and enthusiasm shown whilst under the tuition of the Dominican Nuns, then they deserve success. A few years ago Miss Charlotte won first-class honors for oil painting at a New Zealand exhibition and at competitions; while Miss Gladys Petrie secured the same for singing. All wish them ban voyage and success in their studies, and hope

to welcome them again in our midst as finished artists. A number of ladies of the parish held a "gift evening" in St. Mary's Schoolroom on Tuesday, to furnish the Brothers' new home with kitchen .utensils and household linen. Many and various were the articles received, which included a beautiful dinner set from the ladies' committee. A very pleasant thug was spent: some dancing, others playing cards. During the supper interval Rev. Father Martin and the Brothers thanked those present for the many useful articles received.

HOLY CROSS COLLEGE, MOSGIEL. In the degree examinations of the New Zealand University the following students of Holy Cross College were successful: —B.A. Latin; A. H. Hyde (Auckland), W. J. Meade (Dunedin), A. E. Bennett (Auckland). B.A. French: A. E. Bennett, A. V. Scanlon (Wellington), G. G. McLeod (Auckland). B.A. English: A. H. Hyde, W. J. Meade. B.A. Mental Science: A. V. Scanlon. B.A. Mathematics: G. G. McLeod, G. Daly (Christchurch), A. V. O’Reilly (Dunedin). B.A. History : 0. Von Rotter (Auckland), A. H. Hyde, W. Herlihy (Wellington), F. Terry (Auckland), G. O’Meeghan (Christchurch). B.A. Economics: F. Terry, O. Von Rotter, A. V. Scanlon, W. J. Herlihy. All the students presented in Latin, French, English, Mental Science, History, and" Economics were successful. ' James Henley (Dunedin) passed the M.A. Degree, with second class honors in Mental Science; and G. O’Meeghan, A. O’Reilly, and G. V. Daly have now gained the B.A. Degree. ’

ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN. RECENT SUCCESSES. Miss Katherine Bourke, passed the second section of the B.A. examination in the following subjects: Latin (advanced grade), Philosophy (pass grade). The following pupils of St. Dominic's .College were successful in passing the Theoretical examination of the Trinity College of Music, London, held in December, 1924. Senior Grade. Kathleen Prendergast 89, Noel O'Kane 87, Teresa Harridge 86 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Lily Beard 81 (Convent, N.E. Valley). Intermediate Grade. Frances Dolan 96 (Convent, Milton), Mercia Johnstone 81 (Convent, N.E. Valley). Junior Grade.— Williams 100 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Nellie Lane 99, Margaret Fahey 98, Margaret McOaughan 98, Marion Legg 97 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Myra Buchanan 95, Maureen Bourke 94, Archie Lomas 94 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Jessie Bradbury 92, Jack Byrnes 92 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Willie Harridge 92 (Convent, N.E. Valley), Constance Smith 91, Maisie Wells 88, Margaret Mary Comer 85, Mary McAtamney 60. Preparatory Grade. Gertrude Hall 99, Moira Mahoney 99, Moira Duggan 97, Kathleen Nees 97, Mollie O'Reilly 96, Ngaira Coughlan 95, Dale Austin 92, Vera Sullivan 88, Katie Bartholomew 76, Mona Valenski 73. IRISH SOCIETY, DUNEDIN. A delightful musical programme formed the

central feature of the monthly meeting of the Irish Society of Dunedin, held at the Overseas Clubrooms on last Monday evening. The president (Mr. J. Maguire) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members and friends. Mrs. Moran (a recent arrival from the Homeland) sang "An Irish Melody," and Miss McCormick "Little Town in Old County Down," both responding to recalls. Mr. E. Eagar and party filled in the remainder of the evening with quite a feast of Irish national airs, many of those given being rarely heard from the concert stage. Mr. Eagar interspersed the various numbers with introductory remarks of an

educative and deeply interesting nature. The renditions were quartette: “Come Back to Erin” (Misses M. and A. Eagar, Messrs. Eagar and Napier) ; songs “0 Erin My Country” and “The Gap in the Hedge” (Miss M - Eagar), “Molly Asthore” and “Dublin Ba y” (Mr. Napier), “Barney O’Hea” and “Irish Folk Song” (Miss A. Eagar), who also S ave a descriptive recitation in artistic st .V le i “ The Low-backed Car” and “Rose of Tralee” (Mr. E. Eagar); vocal duet—“ What Will You Do, Love?” (Miss A. Eagar and \ Mr pier) ; vocal trio— l “ Dear Little Shamj|. r ° ck ” (Misses A. and M. Eagar and Mr. E. jEagfir). A lively chorus by the whole party | concluded the programme. Miss M. Sandys was pianist; Mrs. Eagar playing the accompaniments for the party. On the motion °f the chairman a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers. After supper was served, dancing terminated a particularly en i°y 6 evening. m , r _, xro J lbl6 not at the loss of th y bodil Y eYesfhou hast the eyes with which the angels see, y which thou mayest behold God.—St. Anthony.

of the Christian Brothers’ School, Dunedin. Awarded a Senior National Scholarship at the recent examinations.