The Half-Castes

Short Story:

ONCE on day long ago, a certain Fijian village was seething with excitement.

This was the day on which Seniana was due to return from her first visit to New Zealand, whither she had accom panied a European lady from Suva, as maid-servant. She had been away from her “koro” for three years, and her friends and relatives were wondering how she had fared, and how she looked.

J'HIS story—perhaps a rather fanciful interpretation of how a European could he intro duced into Fijian life —is by “Kia Loma” Kia Loma, in Fijian, means half-caste. It is published mainly because it contrasts so strongly with the sentiments of both Mr. Calwell, Australian Minister for Immigration, who is at present indulging in a heresy-hunt among Polynesian people domiciled in Australia (see elsewhere this issue ) ; and also with the sentiments of a full-Fijian reader as expressed in ja letter to “PIM” on page 23 of March issue.

Seniana was a beautiful Fijian girl and had been only 18 years of age when she left home three years before.

“I wonder if she will still be able to speak our language?” remarked one. An other said, “I expect she will come back dressed in European clothes.”

At last, the signal of Seniana’s arrival was given and the rhythmical beat of the lali could be heard for miles around.

Father and mother are, of course, given right of place in these welcomes and there were many tears of joy shed as Seniana. more beautiful than ever, and dressed in her own native costume was seen embracing her parents and others.

There was great feasting and rejoicing Everybody was happy and delighted to see their beloved Seniana amongst them once more.

On the following day Seniana informed her parents that she had something im portant to tell them and asked them not to interrupt her in her story. “When I left you three years ago,” she said, “to accompany the white marama to New Zealand, I said to myself, T will soon return, and will never leave my home again.’ Alas, however, this cannot be.

When I was in New Zealand I met many people who were kind to me and did ail they could to make my stay enjoyable and happy.

“One day, I met a young man who was eood to me and helped me to understand Europeans and their ways. He also taught me to speak their language. I grew to love him. He has asked me to marry him as soon as I can return to New Zealand, and I have promised him that I will. He is a farmer and prosper ous. Please do not be angry with me, dear parents. One cannot help falling in love. I am quite sure that I* shall be happy with Edward and he savs that he will never have any peace until he sees me again.”

The news soon spread in the town that Seniana was about to leave them again, and there were many broken hearts among the young men when they heard

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that their favourite was going to marry a “kai Vavalagi.”

Ik TEARS passed, and some of Seniana’s friends and relatives died. Her parents too, had died from grief a few months after losing their beloved daughter.

One day it was reported that Semana was returning with her husband and family. Again there were many prepara tions for her welcome home, and specu lation was again rife as to what she would look like and whether she had discarded native dress.

“We don’t want any half-caste chil dren in our town,” one or two were heard to remark. Others said “Why does Seniana not stav in New Zealand where her husband belongs, and where she has been residing all this time?”

Blood is thicker than water, however, and the majoritv were eager to see Seniana again and welcome her home The beat of the lali announced Seniana’s return. “Here she is,” they shouted, and almost smothered her in their anxiety to greet her.

Yes, it was Seniana, looking a little older perhaps but as beautiful as ever, with a strong, tall, handsome man by her side, and two fair children.

After the welcome ceremonies were concluded, Seniana and her husband and children were conducted to a new house presented to them by the townsfolk, and it was there that Seniana’s husband was appointed “Tui” of the town. There was no need for him to return to New Zea land as he had sufficient money to sup port his family in Fiji.

This is the way m which half-castes were first introduced in one Fijian village.

Seniana’s descendants are still to be found there.