Rotuma Alligator

An Undesirable Immigrant of 33 Years Ago

The following was published in the “Polynesian Gazette,” Levuka, Fiji, in the issue of Saturday, July 26, 1913: rE island of Rotuma was visited for the first time in native history by an “undesirable,” in the form of a young alligator.

For some two or three days there was quite a little excitement amongst the folk who inhabit the shores of the Mot usa Bay, when it was known that the footmarks of a strange animal were seen on the sand, and which looked very much like the foot marks of an alligator. For a couple of nights the natives watched the shore, but beyond seeing “something” at a distance, and firing a couple of shots at it, nothing was really seen of the stranger.

One Saturday afternoon a man named Pauriasi, who had just returned from his garden with a load of food, saw a curious looking creature not far from the beach.

Not doubting that this was the creature that was haunting their shores, he seized a sharpened stick and rushed, with more courage than wisdom, into the water, and after a short struggle was successful in capturing it.

It was a young alligator about 7 feet long, and evidently had just arrived—the question is, from where. It must have had a long swim, as the nearest place to Rotuma where alligators are to be found is in the New Hebrides, hundreds of miles away.

Some of the traders think that it got loose or had, been thrown overboard by some passing vessel, which was convey ing it to Sydney or Auckland for some public or private zoo.

However it came, we are honestly glad that it has been caught and killed be fore it has had time to do any damage.

Another question of importance is: Are there any more? We trust that it is on its “lonesome,” as the native women have not ventured out to fish except at dead low water, and will probably cease altogether for a time if any more of these dreaded monsters are discovered.—Henry H. Roget. Methodist Missionary. (The “Polynesian Gazette” added this note: “We have been shown a photograph of the alligator (or crocodile) by Captain C. Kaad. The photograph was taken by Mr. G. Missen, at Rotuma.”) EDITORIAL NOTE: We are indebted for this interesting item to Mr. C. W.

Aidney, of Suva, and to Messrs. Cyril King and Jack King, of Levuka, who searched for and found the item in the old “Poly nesian Gazette.”