Musically-minded
p. 39 · Read in the full issue
Mangaians Are Bereft
From Our Own Correspondent MANGAIA, Cl, November.
WHEN Dr. John Numa left Mangaia some time ago, he took with him the island’s only piano. No one had ever heard a piano here, until the advent of this one, and it is not likely that another one will ever appear.
Pianos do not thrive on Mangaia’s damp climate.
The old harmonium presented by Par liament to the island about 1924, is still in a corner of the Court House; but it is unlikely that that will ever be played again either, owing to the combined ravages of insects and weather.
Most of our nocturnal melodies of late, have been provided by the village dogs, which at the Resident Agent’s orders, are now chained up at night.
The animals loudly resent this curtail ment of their liberty, and most village dog-owners, it is feared, do not provide sufficient length of rope for this tethering.
Sister D. Tomkins, of the Anglican Mission, who has been giving temporary service in Australia, will shortly return to New .Guinea.