Bits of History

COME interesting historical notes

from Mr. F. S. Whitcombe, of

Levuka, Fiji :

Mariner’S “Tonga"

Your correspondent, Mr. Davidson, is perfectly correct—Mariner was not the sole survivor of the “Port-au-Prince." The book, “Tonga,” was written for William Mariner by Dr. Martin. There were two editions —one in 1809 and one in 1818.

The book used to be called the Tongan Bible, because so many of the leading Tongans traced their forebears through it.

Crocodiles In Fiji

The crocodile that landed in Motusa, Rotuma, was 6 ft. 4 in. in length, and it arrived in that place in 1914.

Links With Rls

You reported in “PIM" that another link with Robert Louis Stevenson had passed away in Tahiti. There are still two links here in Fiji—myself, and Abdul, Stevenson’s old cook. Abdul is living with his son, an Indian schoolmaster, at Ba. The old chap is blind, but he still can converse interestingly about the old days.

Tonga’S First King

I knew well George Tubou, the first king of Tonga. I also knew Taufaahau, afterwards Tubou ll—he was a good friend of mine.

Little Ship Out Of Auckland

The first time I went to Tonga was in 1890, as a member of the crew of a new 50-ton schooner built by Niccol, of Devon port, Auckland, for George Finau, Governor of Vavau. She was called the “Koe Pamu-o-le-Utukalugalu." There is a name for you!

The topsail schooner “Clansman” was

built alongside her; and the Government steamer “Clyde," for Fiji, was being built by Logan in a shed across the road.

There was a crew of three on the “Pamu”—myself, a Loyalty Islander called Semesi, and a Tongan half-caste, Vuni Bloomfield. Captain Sopwith was in charge, and there was a mate, Captain Dan, and a cook.

The “Pamu” carried double topmasts and eight sails—two jibs, stay-sail, fore sail, mainsail, topmast stay-sail, and main and fore gaff topsails—a beautiful picture—a bit different from the puffing, smelling tea-pots you see getting around nowadays. We reached Vavau 11 days out from Auckland.