The Camera Cannot Lie!

A FRIEND in the Gilbert Islands sent this photograph. He said: “Off one of the Gilbert Islands, near the equator, in the Western Pacific, this monster was photographed raising its ugly head, less than a mile from shore.

The camera-man ventured close enough to get an unmistakeable snapshot be fore beating a strategic retreat into the coral shallows inshore. This monster has been seen several times in much about the same locality, though not always so recklessly inquisitive-looking as on this occasion.”

In the corner was: “Please turn over.”

We turned the photograph over, and on the back was written: “The fearsome monster actually is the fluke of an old anchor, lying on the reef off Tarawa, and partly submerged at high tide.”

“rpHEY call Samarai the jewel of the A Pacific. It is a fever-ridden hell. I would not go back there if you paid my fare. Let the niggers keep it.”

Thus Mr. J. Keegan, “who has had two years’ plantation experience at Samarai”, to Sydney “Telegraph”.

It was the same Mr. Keegan who made this statement to a reporter: “In Papua, the natives do as they like. They are un controllable and impudent, but you dare

not touch them. While loading for the present voyage a native boy threw a pas senger’s suitcase into the hold and split it open. The boatswain cuffed him. ‘Me go to Government,’ the islander said. Result —the boatswain was fined £5.”

Very Rev. Dr. J. Hannan, of Melbourne, head of the Catholic Missions in the South Seas, left Victoria recently on a world tour.