Savage Nusi.

Where the King’s Writ Does Not Run.

AN island in the Pacific where Pidgin is unknown, where no trading has ever been done, and which is in habited by a race who have never been in contact with whites and whose physique compares favourably with al most any of the native races.

Such is the coral islet of Nusi, of about two square miles, and lying sixty miles due north of Kavieng, in the Bis marck Archipelago, New Guinea. On some maps it is shown as Tench Island.

Before the war the Germans visited the island and, upon landing, the party were invited by signs up to the native village, but were warned by one of their own police boys that it was a trap. As soon as the islanders realised what had happened they speared the police boy, and after that it was declared a closed area.

Since that occurrence there have only been two other visits paid to the island.

One was by the mission schooner “Vei lomani,” on board which was Captain M’Laren, who described his visit in the Brisbane “Courier” (27/6/31).

Upon the approach of the schooner to the island native canoes were observed putting out, each canoe carrying two men who, contrary to usual island cus tom, were absolutely naked. Each man carried an enormous spear.

The canoes circled around the schooner, the natives jabbering and ges ticulating without ceasing. The canoe gradually closed in an ever-decreasing circle, and struck terror into the hearts of the Fijians, Solomon Islanders, and New Guinea boys, who comprised the crew of the schooner. In spite of friendly

greetings, none of the ship’s boys had been able to establish any friendly rela tions.

A party went ashore in one of the schooner’s boats and landed on a white sandy beach. As the white men ad vanced, the natives retreated, still men acing them with their spears. Captain M’Laren ordered his boys to sit down and commence singing. The effect was im mediate. Spears were moved from the menacing position until they became something on which to rest.

One of the savages approached a Fijian boy, and started to lick him, somewhat after the fashion of a dog that has decided to become friendly.

Soon there was an orgy of licking, until there were about fifty savages on the beach.

An invitation was extended by signs to visit the village and, setting off along a narrow path, the white men would have fallen into an ambush, had it not been for the vigilance of the bo’sun, who suddenly cried “Halt.” Just ahead, be side the path, was a huge green tree, the branches of which were literally alive with natives. However, the friendly savages called out something unintelli gible to their brethren in the tree, whereupon they vacated their positions, and joined up with the main party.

The domed grass huts in the village were found to be roomy and well con structed. All utensils and implements were of wood and stone. These people were totally unacquainted with tobacco, as shown by their white teeth.

The only other recorded visit to the islet was made at a later date, about 1931, by a party comprising Mr. C. F. R.

Gilbert (New Ireland), Dr. Buhler (a Swiss anthropologist), Mr. Adolf Schultze (Kavieng), and Mr. C. F. Har ris (Djaul Island), in whose schooner the party made the trip. Upon this oc casion, the natives approached the schooner, gesticulating and shouting, as appears their habit, but instead of wav ing their spears, they were holding sevi nuts in their hands, which was taken as a friendly sign.

Although close inshore, the schooner was unable to get bottom with the lead, and, therefore, it was imperative that one of the party be left with the vessel.

Lots were drawn; and the remaining three set out for the shore. Bearing in mind what had happened to the Ger mans before the war, each man had an automatic with him, ready for any em ergency.

When the beach was reached, there were about twenty savages assembled there, and some distance away the women were observed standing on a bank. Although the men were com pletely naked, the women were all dressed in lap-laps, made of a cloth-like fibre, reaching from waist to knee. Over tures were made by signs for a visit to the village, but the whites declined, as there were only three in the party.

Eventually, by signs, it was made clear to the islanders that the visitors would like to trade, and in exchange for look ing glasses, coloured prints, matches, etc., they received bananas, sevi, coco nuts, sago, and some odd curios.

The yelling and gesticulating were get ting worse, so the party returned to the schooner.

Out of the track of any vessels, too small for anyone to bother about, with a dangerous anchorage, and nothing in the way of shell or beche-de-mer to at tract traders, it seems possible that this uncivilised community of about 150 may remain mjdisturbed for a long time.