Polynesia.

Schooners.

What They Mean In Lonely Polynesia.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Aug. 12.

THE two well-known schooners of the Cook Group have each made trips re cently to the far northern islands — Manihiki, Rakahanga and Penrhyn. They have now turned their attention to the islands of the Lower Group, their wel come sails appearing at first one island, then another. The two mail-boats arrive at Rarotonga on the 12th and 14th Au gust respectively, and both schooners are expected to return to Rarotonga to connect with them.

The sight of a schooner is something very fine, to the eyes of an inhabitant of the islands.

The natives detect the tip of the mast when it is but a flickering speck on the distant rim of foggy blue. Immediately, the spell of isolation is broken. New faces are seen. There are the home comings and again there are those mak ing ready to depart, surrounded with mats, fruits and, in some instances, farm-yard stock.

In a few hours, the skipper raises his voice; sailors spring about the ship; and the visit is over. A canoe or two linger about the departing schooner, perhaps an empty bottle or a discarded meat tin is thrown overboard. The sails creep slowly up the masts, unfurl themselves and merge their whiteness with the white hull, speeding the ship merrily on her way to the next island.