The Profits of a Witch-
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
Doctor
From Our Own Correspondent
Noumea. Dec. 19.
AS a result of deaths, combined with the prolonged drought, native tribes near Bourail, west coast—particu larly that of Pothe—have been carrying on a war against the Doghis (or devils) of the Central Chain, who, it is claimed, have been avenging themselves by mak ing the women sterile.
The ancients held a meeting, as the result of which they brought over from Ponerihouen. east coast centre, a re nowned witch-doctor to combat the Dog his —a man with a tribal reputation as a healer of all maladies, including lack of fecundity among women.
The natives of Pothe surrounded this “takata” (corruption of the English word “doctor”) and he pointed out those among them who were menaced by the Doghis. He separated them from the rest and poured on their heads water from the waterfall of Ba. during which time he pronounced incantations: follow ing which he distributed a magic drink.
He then went away with his pockets well lined.
A writer in a local paper (“La France Australe”, of Noumea) reveals that the witch-doctor is a notorious undesirable, already expelled from the centres of Canala and Bouloupari, and living under the surveillance of the gendarmerie at Ponerihouen; a man. also, who has pre viously been convicted for illegal prac tice of medicine.
Rev. John W. P. Gillan, Presbyterian missionary in the New Hebrides, returned to Tangoa Island, recently, after fur lough in Victoria. He is a grandson of the late Dr. John G. Paton. pioneer Presbyterian missionary in the New Hebrides.