The Tales They Told In Fiji

Collectors of legends and folk tales will probably be glad to have a small book which has been published in New Zealand and is called “Legends of Fiji and Rotuma”. It is written by Inez Names of Auckland and illustrated by Miss Ruth Pook of Queensland so is, in effect, a trans- Tasman adventure in partnership.

IN a foreword, the late Mr. R. A.

Derrick describes the place that the telling of tales had amongst primitive people The importance of recording the unwritten literature of Pacific peoples has been widely recognised he says although, unfortunately, little has been done along these lines in Fiji.

With the Fijian people in their present stage of advancement, many Of the old legends—some Of which throw a new light on pre-European

times in Fiji—are in danger of be ing lost for ever, Miss Hames thus has done a con siderable service by this collection, In primitive society story-tellers were professionals and although some of their tales were for no other purpose than to entertain, others have been of great significance to the social anthropohsist. copies of the books may be obtained from Brookings Book Shop, 20 Customs Street East, Auckland. Price is 15/- NZ.