THE MARQUESAS.

Dozerdust, Volume 2, Issue 13, 26 March 1944, Page 6

THE MARQUESAS.

MARQUESAS - a small group of islands lying 740 miles northeast of Tahiti

THEY - consist of eleven islands - three, large and eight small.

1N.1840 - the populations was around the 100.000. Today it barely numbers 2.500.

AREA - total area is 490 square miles. The principal islands are:-

.. . HIVA-OA, 23 miles long by II broach, it is well watered and has, like other islands in group, an excellent climate 1 where almost anything can be grown. Features of the island are : - Atunoa valley arid a plateau, a thousand feet high.. Mt, Temetiu, 4,000 is the highest mountain, it was on this ...island that Paul Gaugin, famous French artist, lived, died and was buried.

EUKUHIVA -20 miles long and 12 wide, contains 47 square miles,' Lies 7® miles to north of Hiva-oa, Very rich land, broad well watered valleys, lying between broad and well watered brush clad hills. Once an important spot where Biships and Govemonfe’ resided. Nov; desolate. i .

/ FATUHI-yA - most southerly of group. Chief harbour is Oomoa. ■ -■ • Rocky and forbidding coast, has mountains in interior rising to 3,000* feet. / TAHUATA** lies close, to Hiva-oa and most hetable as place where French first gained footing in 1841.. The native chief, loots, not being able te maintain order invited French to assist him : they did by helping themselves to the islands. The group. now sart of France’s Colonial" Empire;

OTHER - islands are smaller, in some mountains rise to 3,000 feet. / All are noted for ric i land, good climate and profusion of tropical fruit.

i HERMAN Melville's book, S” Typee” describes Marque s Life. ‘We recommend the book and have a copy •which . may be borrowed. ' :4 -.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - writing on the Islands said ” The history of thq Marquesas i 5.... much confused . by the coming and going of the French. At least twice the> hav6 seized the archipelago and at least once deserted it and in the meanwhile -the natives pursued, alca st thout interr*

uption, their desultory cannibal Ho and other writer, cotrment on th#

enormous harm done to the natives Hr the introduction of opium .

IN his book" White Shadows Over The South Saas M . O’Brien, writes

” The story of' tho Marquesas is one of the most tragic and sordid in the history of the South Seas. Wo Europeans can fee nothing but shame as we contemplate the record -even as we are acknova that there are wonderful opportunities awaiting in the Marquesas for the colonists \ ■who can take the place of the dead • and dying Polynesians •••••• The

white man brough the Chinese, and with them rosy. The Chine were imported to aid'the white* man in stealing the native land of the Marque sans and to keep the Chinese contented, opium was brough with him. Finding it eagerly craved by the ignorant native, the foolish white fastened

this .vice also. upon his other des - ired slave, The French.Govt.ifor font#* thousand francs, licensed an opium farmer to sell the drug still faster, and not until alarmed by tho r«suits and shamed by the outcry in Europe, did ijj forbid the \ devastating narcotic. Too late J Health and happiness were destroyed because the white man came here to gratify his cupidity. z The priest could bring no inspiration^sufficient to overcome the degradation ■. *

c u qdby , the t de rs The . Marquesans saw that Jesus had small influence over their rulers. Civilisation lost its opportunity because it gave -precept,* but &o example. : . . ■ *..... The Marque sans were among the most hands one. and charming- people in the South Seas - magnificent physical specimens; and they we re literally preyed upon by all the most evil elements among thaw*wandering Europeans. The men were taught opium smoking and alchoi; - thfc '' women were debauched. Disease’ \ wont through their- ranks like wild- 4 ’ fire -— they literally died in masses * •

Pacific Islands Year Book,

(For position of Marquesas see Map , in Moss 3 ;

NEVER before has Alf Saunders moved so fast; it is questionable whether he will ever register iWtl

ago in....not unless he again runs into, a swarm of bees as he did this morning whe n~he found himself among the swargx. Asked why he concealed hie turn of speed he said; “I cant let thee; see just what I caneb ? 4