Father Tremblay

Tales Of Tonga

Father Tremblay Clocks The Gurgle

WATER going down the drain in the South Seas turns clock wise; in the northern hemis phere it turns anti-clockwise.

Should you doubt this, veteran South Seas missionary Father E.

Tremblay challenges you to try it and see.

That is one of the many examples he gives to explain the topsy-turvy theme of his new book, Grins and Chuckles in Upside Down Land, now ready for publication. For his prospective northern-hemisphere readers he explains that “The Land of Upside Down" simply means: In Oceania in general and Polynesia in particular, the seasons, the climate, the native customs and even many ordinary actions are almost always the exact contrary to theirs.

He gives them these other examples: The south wind is cold as it blows up from the South Pole; the north wind is hot as it blows down from the equator.

When you peel fruit you move the knife towards you; the South Sea native moves it away from him: When you call anyone with your hand, you turn it upwards and lift your fingers likewise; he turns his hand and fingers downwards and makes a gesture that reminds you of a cat burying something with his front paw.

Your rules of etiquette require that you pass behind a person; his make him pass in front.

In Polynesia [Australian topers E lease note] it is considered very ad manners to drink while standing. But it is the thing when making a speech before the queen or any big chief to sit on the ground. r.THER TREMBLAY explains that in the Islands “Yes" can mean “No" and vice-versa.

He quotes Sister M. Maureen, of Apia (Samoa), for this delightful example of topsy-turvy talking: When you grimly tell the *punishment squad that now they may go home after weeding for two hours and one comes up to you nervously cracking her knuckles and blurts out, “Sister, I forgive you for being naughty”, you understand the reversal, of course, and, trying not to smile, you add to yourself, “I hope God will, too”.

In his new book Father Tremblay again turns the spotlight on Tonga, where he spent a great part

of his life as a Roman Catholic missionary. Since he retired from the active mission field he has written much in the United States about his memories of the South Seas. His Order has assisted him In the publication of the books.

His other Tonga book is doing very well. Its French edition is going “goodo” in Canada, he reports cheerfully from Hawaii, where he is now living. In Italy an Italian translation is being made. t Georges Tsakiris, a Greek from?

Australia, recently stowed away aboard the liner Tahitien while that ship was in Sydney. On arriving in Noumea harbour, Tsakiris came out from hiding and dived overboard hoping to reach land and safety. He seemed to fear the gendarmes of Noumea more than the sharks in the Harbour. He was captured on coming ashore and later appeared before the local court. He was sentenced to 15 days gaol but sentence was suspended. He was returned to Sydney on the Polynesie.