Clay-Eating Papuans.

THE statement that certain Papuans eat clay is not’ by any means new (“P.1.M.”, December last); the fact was noted years ago on Papua’s east coast.

The people around Cape Vogel, from Menapi (at least) in Goodenough Bay, to the Damwappas, in Collingwood Bay, pour scorn on men who would so de mean themselves as to eat it, for clay is the thing that no married woman (and, unfortunately, some single ones) should, in their opinion, never be with out. It is the perquisite of the women during pregnancy.

The clay used here (on Cape Vogel) is of two kinds; white, in Mukawan dia lect, “yabora”, and red (“tanomidara”).

It is taken from the hillsides, nearby the sea, and right down to the beach itself.

The women are very eager to use it,

and take it with them to their gardens.

One man told me they sleep with it, so that it is handy for use when they want to eat it. It is rolled into small cakes, baked near the fire, and eaten usually after other food. It has an ef fect, it is said, something like betel nut, though not so strong.—C.W.W.A.

Mr. Cliff Tarltington, of the Bank of New South Wales at Salamaua, Ne-w Guinea, arrived in Sydney by the March Macdhui” after his two-years’ term of service.

Mr. T. Robson, Resident Commissioner at Savaii, Western Samoa, who has been on furlough in England, arrived in Sydney by the “Moreton Bay” at the end of February. During the voyage out, Mr. Robson announced his engage to Miss D. Howell, of Coorparoo, Queensland. Their marriage will take place in Samoa in June.