Diamonds On Your

Dustheap

Letter to the Editor.

THE true story of the diamond, finally gracing a royal crown, that was used as a child’s play thing for years, is constantly being repeated in the still “unknown” Pacific. Every Island has treasures worth kings’ ransoms lying about neglected; and recently I have had several cases before me.

The “P.I.M.” and the little French paper, "Le Courier Australien,” are the only Australian pub lications that have published accounts of my archaeological discoveries; but, by their means, other folk have been encouraged to look around and find things of scientific, or practical value.

An inscription has been found which a of experts consider to be “pre-Chinese,” or about 5000 years old; and another 3000 years old—whilst about a dozen plants have been introduced as garden ornaments; and one geological specimen that “kicked about” in a Pitt Street office for years, is now seeing its fellows bringing in mil lions a year to the wide-awake promoters of a new industry. The neglected but beautiful maroon and tangerine Asclepia, which I introduced here from New Guinea in 1883, for example, is now an accepted garden favourite; but I have only recently discovered that this is the oldest flower mentioned in the earliest literature in the world; and from its milky juice was made to first alcoholic drinks, the Ambrosia of the gods and the “Fountain of Youth” which the Greek poets tell us about— apparently somewhat affected by its stimulating properties, to judge by what they tell of its vir tues! Please look around your Islands, dear Pacific folk, for neglected things of great price elsewhere, and in the future!

I am, etc.,

Arthur J. Vogan.

Pymble, 20/1/35.

Miss Edith M. Devitt, of the New Guinea Mission, Naniu, Papua, was in South Australia on furlough in January.