Interesting Community.

Educated Nauruans.

ONE of the most interesting native communities of the Pacific is that on the island of Nauru. This is only a dot of land, away to the north-east of New Guinea: but it has enormous

value, owing to de posits of phosphate. It was taken from the Germans in 1914, and to-day is administered by Australia under a Mandate issued jointly to Great Britain, Aus tralia and New Zea land.

The native people are Polynesians, of an exceptionally good type.

We have had several letters from Nauruan natives, which display a remarkable degree of culture. This one, with the accompanying pho tograph, came to hand in the last mail. It is neatly written, and is published exactly as re ceived. Some very good educational work is be ing done on this island.

Sir, —Herewith I am forwarding you a free photo, of happy boys of Nauru, for which, I hope, you will like to introduce them in the Pacific Monthly newspaper. From left to the right: Harold E. Stephen, George M. Stephen, Donald Ephraim, Quack John, and Waidabu Abba. These boys are well educated at Nauru.

Waidabu Abba is now 19 years of age, and is an honest lad. His knee-cap was once slipped sideways in his last records of football.

He is not only a keen sportsman, but, also, is a very wonderful athlete. He is destined for an opportunity to join the District Orderly service.

Nauru Island is about (6,000 acres in area, is occupied by about 1,500 Nauruan natives, a distinct people with a high natural culture and marked intelligence, fine physique and attractive disposition. Unfused with other Pacific races, they are numerically increasing, and, though surrounded by the white influences, they yet preserve many of their racial traditions.

Besides the natives, there are 1,100 Chinese, who are employed in phosphate works. The white population amount to about 140. The Island is very rich in phosphate deposits, so

necessary to the agricultural industry of Aus tralasia, as is shown by the fact that last year 450,000 tons were shipped to Australia and New Zealand.

The Island of Nauru, formerly a German possession, passed under mandate of the League of Nations to the British Empire, and is being administered by Australia. The present ad ministrator of Nauru is Mr. R. O. Garsia.

Hoping that this will meet your pleasure.

Sincerely yours,

George Stephen.

Five educated young natives of Nauru.