Dr. Mackaness' Interesting

Stevenson's Link With

Australia

Dr. Mackaness' Interesting Address to PI Society

THERE has been a marked improve ment in the attendances at the monthly meetings of the Pacific Is lands Society of Sydney in recent months, due as much to the popularity of the president, Major C. A. Swinbourne. as to post-war interest in the Pacific Islands.

At the monthly meeting on September 24, Dr. George Mackaness spoke to a capacity gathering in History House on “Molokai, Samoa, Sydney and Robert Louis Stevenson.”

Dr. Mackaness is a keen collector of Stevensoniana, as well as an authority on RLS. In dealing with the literary and historical links between Sydney and the Pacific Islands, created by the famous author’s visits to New South Wales in the late 80’s and early 90’s, the speaker aroused particular interest in the “Damien Letter,” which was written and first published in Sydney about March, 1890. This particular edition of Steven son’s bitter attack on Dr. Hyde, in de fence of Father Damien and his work among the lepers at Molokai is now very valuable.

Another rare piece, said Dr. Mackaness, was a booklet called. “An Object of Pity,” published about 1892 and bearing the in scription, “Imprinted at Amsterdam.”

This was written by Stevenson and his guests, including Lady Jersey, wife of the then Governor of New South Wales dur ing the latter’s visit to Apia. It was written in friendly derision of the British Consul in Apia at that time, who in dulged in frenzied flutterings when Lady Jersey insisted upon visiting one of Samoa’s warring chiefs.

Although this booklet was virtually un procurable—only about 25 copies were originally printed—Dr. Mackaness was lucky enough to secure a copy some years ago. This subsequently was found to be Lady Jersey’s own copy.

VISITORS included: Mrs. P. D. Mc- Carthy, Miss Moseley, Mrs. Judy Tudor, Mr. and Mrs. Leembruggen, Miss E. Seppelt, Messrs. Arnold Cookson, Norman Bell and Vaskess Jr.

In August, through the courtesy of the Film Section of the Education Depart ment and the New Zealand Tourist Bureau, several excellent sound films were screened before members of the society, and further films of a similar character are promised.

On Sunday afternoon, October 19, the Society holds a garden party, at the hospitable home of Mrs. E. Marie Irvine, 15 Manning Road, Edgecliff.

On October 22, the usual monthly meet ing and social gathering of the Society will be held at History House, 8 Young Street, Circular Quay, Sydney.

Rear-Admiral H. J. Peakes. CBE, RAN (Retired), will be Guest-speaker. His sub ject will be, “Here and There in the East.”

New Members

VTEW members elected: Mrs. G. G. Ker -11 mode; Mrs. Frost; Miss E. Seppelt; Mrs. R. F. Swinbourne; Miss Loloma Swinbourne; Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Gibbes and Mr. R. L. Bamfather Hilary Bates, the young daughter of District Officer and Mrs. C. Bates of Rabaul had a fortunate escape recently when the jeep in which she was riding overturned, down an 80 feet drop. The native driver threw Hilary clear and then jumped himself, when he realised that the jeep was out of control.

Miss Pamela Bakewell of Rabaul has announced her engagement to Mr.

Michael Foley, Patrol Officer, of Gas mata, New Ireland.

Nurse Haggelthorn of the European Hospital Rabaul has become engaged to Mr. H. Prince, of the staff of Burns Philp (New Guinea) Ltd., Rabaul.

Miss Betty Lawrence, of Rabaul, re cently announced her engagement to Commander B. Mussared, of Finsch hafen, New Guinea.