SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1924.
THE CHINA MAIL:
Through Smiling Samoa
"OARDBOR
Uncle Sam Furtherest South-Beautiful Harbour of Pago Pago-Discovered By Dutch-~-
Finest Type of Polynesians..."
Thy L. WOOD-BRUCE!
When the Navigator Islands were of mans of the crews The mag quititioned it was thought that Kier-
Banimity of the native was demon-
many E Gp, better of the tradestrated here in their huniane conduet, This was true as regarde area and fertility of it, but in the selection of a maisemall the H. 8. A. wanted theter's choice proved the most ndvantageous,
No fuer more beautiful harbour than that of Pago Pago exists in any of the myriad of the South Sen Isles. Snugly and locked, with previpitous uggul pinks.upon all sites, the rough- pullines ftly molited lg the must exquisite Vulety verdure to the very suminis,it in one of the benaty apols of the world. Like most of the South Sew Isles they are of volcanic origin. with rol gated coasts, and them. Apulia, is unceded to be ane of the must beautiful atolls of the Pacific Hurricanes may devastate other xiamis, but within the mag har hour of this atoll the satires ar Serare, Ten if marioned. The outer edge of this formation is sa precipitous that arees may unly he had through a narrow opening, vilently how out when this Bow extinct vileno erater empty. The most skilful navigating is nerssitry to sure safe page Through this gateway, but once within, the beauty and ixalled security of it all mure then repays the rink. Within this exquisite retreat the natives live simple and idyllic life with little fort other than fishing and gathering the fruits of the lund.
Butch First Visitors.
af dashing into the seething, surf and rescuing many of their fog. Later the exiled King Maliota was restored to the thronk, and tri-partite govern- ment established. Finally, as
respit
of the World War, the German pg. sions hebame English under mumlate of New Zealm. It has been the benevolent policy of this, as well as the American-bation, das interfere a little possible will the rights of the
matives,
A Picturesque Dance ------ Eaen village has its own chief, and the habits and the customs of his people are not interfered with. The Taupe"
This
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upon the four of the hut are refreshed. with the milk of green enconnut, nerved in the nut, and upon leaving are decor
the daughter of the chief, is arreptelated with garlands-leis-of flowers, it is she who is the "premer" of the as the social leader of beg trile, and
iétarbeque "Siva-Siva" dance. ceremony has been well-bokserited a the most beautiful interpretativy dance given the warld by any race in history. It is generally, held in the
native "Guest-liouse”-u community hut-and the dancers may number a score of girls and half that number of menthe litter end only in the "Lava-Lava" lola vloth, and The girls nude to the bandeau aver the breast. The skirt waist with the exception of a narrow may be of dried grass or sheer taps elath, and anklets of grass. The "pre mier generally wears a perfectly snug fitting bodies of crengut oil, and a very striking heal dress. The poetry f motion is a harmónius succession of enlesthenic paturing, accompanied by soft chani in constant clapping of
The Community House.. The community house in which the dane and her "social functions"
So far as any historical, records, go it seems clear that these islands were first visited by the Dutch, and inter by the French A series of tyful wayards." fares brought other rations in, te pro- feet their native Traders, and the rapurity of the English and German Fraters brought matters to a climax. The duplicity and hisch handed men- sures of the Germans had become in- tolerable, when suemingly Providence intervened in the visitation of a fright- ful iturricane-which destroyed several of the German warships, and the lives
At the end of the introductory dance, two native boyu enter into a canipetitive dance with the Taupo," each one try ing to excel the other for the favour of the chief's daughter until the gyra- Cons become almost frenized.. "The winning contestant is favoured by marked approval by the "premier" un other dancers. The spectators squat, ting upon grass mats in a semi-circles
are bulk is constructed upon the same principle as all native huts, but un'a more glorified scale. As there is very tie level land upon this island-where the hills meet the sherea foundation is built up of rock to make a levei com- pound. This is filled in with fine loose pebbles which are cavered with grass mate. Generally three centre poles serve as the main support for the thatched roof, with shorter posts Around the outer edge, which is left entirely open to the air, excepting when grass curtains are lowered for privacy. As there is only one room, tapa cloths are used for partitions when privacy
desired within. No nnil, bolt or screw is ever used in the construction of these ice-hive" buts, all joints being ether skrze-tailed or made fast with cinnet twiar, made from fibre of the roanut hack. The arched ginders of the roof are usually nonstructel of strips of wood from the bread fruit tree lashed together much after the principle of a split bambus dishing rod. This gives great strength and supple- pess, and withstands the ravages of hurricanes. In the distance, the native
Safety at the Bolton
of the River
huts resemble nothing so much no a lot of large hay mawx.
fezzes, singlets, and Lava Lava Join
cloths-but the other native men wear only the lain cloth. This single raim- The fireplace in the centre of the hut ent covers some of the finest tattooing in almost an altar, and the natives will seen in the South Seas, for it is.only circle around id'at night Anding in the the thighs, from the waist to knee, that glowing coals inspiration for their oft
is most entirely covered with beautiful fold folk lore tales. There is no twi- tapestry-like effects. The designs light in these isles, and the glow of upon the women are much simpler. the embers is the only light they seem The old buccaneer days when Samoa to need. When the hour for retiring was the Port of Missing Men," and arrives, grass mat is laid over the slave girl dealers, gin runners and pebble floor, und sa pillow of bamboo with two short legs at either end is puting calm of the islands, have gone for
cannibal feasts interrupted the paralyz. 'in'place, and with the rhythm of the xurt and the song of crickets, the native passes into the realm of the "Sand Man."
The Samoans are conceded to be quite the finest types of all the Polynesians. In colour they vary all the way, from colorado-maduro to clars, with parti cularly fine eyes, and an open, frank, friendly expression, and decided dignity of bearing The men are wonderfully lithe," with small waists, broad chests, well museled legs and arms. The hair is sometimes bleached by the action of kam and walt water, hut not infrequent ly by an application of lime made by burning sea shells or coral, until the desired ""Ginger" shade is obtained. They are very fond of red. and the native constabulary wear bright red
ever. No longer in Scented scop used as a confection. or "stock" for soup. The missionary societies may take full credit for this as for the ability of most of the natives to speak English and fond orderly lives.
400
ful, slender outrigger canoes from the trunk of a tree, fishing for food, and perhaps raising 11 few pigs and chickens, they are contented and happy. The woman makes grasa skirts, bend necklaces of shells and bright seeds, and the very artistic "Taps" cloth from the bark of the mulberry, tree, beaten as thin as paper, with designs in colour stamped with wood blocks very much after the process of Japanese prints. The simple native after spending weeks creations" gladly sells it to visiting. of intermittent work upon one of these
tourists for a few shillings. The men make for this trade, curlous articles of tortoise shell jewelry, silver inlaid, war clubs, heed knives with etched designs filled in with lime, and the very decora tive "Kava", bowl carved from rich dark wood with richly lime-inisid, om- bellished edges and many legs.
A Care-Free Race. However, their outlook of life is
"Kavu," the native drink, is brewed basically different from our own. They in the bowls from the crushed root of consider effort beyond immediate needs the "pepper plant." In the old bar to be quite useless. There is practical-baric days it was the custom of the ly no industry, little real agriculture, native women to crush this root by a and the commerce ja consequently negligible. Nature had done so much
procesa of mastication, but now the more sanitary method of macerating_in for them, that beyond the collection of pestle and mortar is employed.. Ita cocoanuts for copra-exported for use taste has been well compared to soapy in soaps and toilet preparations-col- dish water, and while it is apt to make lecting brend fruit for
the lega "wobbly," it leaves the head consumption, constructing their grace clear.
their
מעות
SAMOAN VYITH
HEAD KNIFE.
Natives Are Friendly,
The hospitality of the native, is fumous and une's hast, would be deeply hurt if the guest declined to partake " of the proffered drink, and observe the ceremony of throwing the dregs over we left shoulder. Kava, however, is not the only drink dispensed in Samoa- the American cocktail follows the ag and since the esttbishment of the naval station there, more than one still hus beer located in the fastness, of the hills. However the natives are gen crally abstemious nn Christianity firmly established since the days that the sons of King Malients denied the "Tapu of the pagan guds, and ate the "Anne," the forbidden fruit, in u which their turtelary gods were sup=" posed to reside. Their immunity en- couraged others to Idolatry.
renounet
their
Expert Swimmers. The natives seen almost amphibious, are taught to swim before they can and it is claimed in many cases babies walk. A favourite sport with them is the original. "Shoot the Shoots." This is a sloping smooth rock upon the Island of Upolu, over which a cascade fulls, dashing into the sea many feet below. The bathers rit "Isdlon File" upon the rock and are rushed, with the Lorrent, and precipitated into the boil. ing maelstrom." They are just fun loving big children, but at the same time possessed of a serenity and tran- quility hard to define.
It was among these beautiful "fes of the Blest" that Robert Louis Steven- son chose to make bis home, among the natives he loved so well, and by whom he was known as "Tusitalā "...... teller of tales. His beautiful home, "Villima," was to them a shrlie, and when the sun had set-they bore his body tenderly up in his tomb on the summit of "Vaena," high up into the renim of sllence to the requiem of "The Trades
20 MOSTRENN
Modern Science Has Removed Much of the Danger
to Submerged Workers-Building a Bridge By Up-to-Date Methods.
[BY MALCOLM MacDONALD.]
Working beneath the surface of the this taller of the depths a new sense of water is not what it used to bo.
J
OLD FASHION OVNYC BELL
EMPS 80770/?
READY TO LACYC
MEOKCAL CHAMBER
structure. Soundings by the engineers indicated that the solid rock of the river bed would not be reached abort of a depth of 115 feet. This is within "nine inches of the greatest depth to which any foundation has been sunk with the aid of compressed air and it has been considered possible that the record may be exceeded.
Sinking The Caisson. The caisson for this bridge is a largu water-tight framework of heavy tim bers, which was constructed on the banke of the river: When completed it was launched with a spectacular splash and immediately towed to mid- stream where the work of sinking it |to the river-bed was begun. To'accom- plish the sinking of the huge frame. work, the interior was filed with con- crete, with the exception of a working chamber at the bottom and openings through which workmen may descend and ascend while excavating the river bed to the solid rock 116 foot below the surface.
AI
OF
serving lo cffset the pressure from without. This affords n working cham- bor at the bottom which is practically air and water-tight.
The Sandhegs. In this working chamber the men Conduct the work of excavation and construction. These men are known as "sandhogs," a designation handed down from former generations. The sand- hog is a distinct type of worker to whom open air employment has little interest. He la as much at home under the water as the structural iron worker on the top of the skeleton sky- scraper. Pince either of these special- ists in another environment and he is unhappy.
The excavation of the material in the river's bed allows the cainkon to settle gradually down. While this process is under way other workmen at the surface build up's timber frame- work and concrete filling At
a patc which keeps the top of the structura above the water level. When solid rock is encountered and the caisson comes to rest on this foundation the upper structure affords a means of passage for men and materials from the outer. air.
Heavy Air Pressure.
1
In the extreise depth of 115 feet the excavators must work under an air. pressure of fifty pounds to the squara. inch. The danger in human life, in the past, has come with the return to the fighter pressure above the surface. The sudden and violent change from the heavy presqure of the submerged: working chamber produced attacks of the bends, with many fatalities.
In the modern calsson, science has removed the chief factor of danger by the introduction of a "medical cham ber." This chamber affords an inter- mediate stop in the journey of be work rs from the extreme pressure of immersion, and permits the air pressuro mechanical means.. to be reduced very gradually, by This has been found highly effective and makes it possible to carry on work with little. fear of serious trouble from the bends. in that it not only simplifies the The calsson serves a double purpose,
permanently and becomes a vital part of the pier foundation.
The Diving Bell.
The Perth Amboy Caisson is typical of the modern underwater structure for the use of sompressed air. safety and security new assurance The romance of the diving bell has that his workshop is mado immune from for a vast number of workers,
tunnel was a thing of stark tragedy, construction in the United States, the Raritan River at Perth Amboy, New is a large and water-tight box
defined by the dictionaries, a caisson. been supplanted by the contributions of its former perils.
How,
workers were sent into the heavy air-Jersey. This bridge in on a large scale casing in which work conducted great was the tall of disastër no man To most of us there is little concen knows. For countless generations the pressure of the river bottoms with because of the importance of the trafic below water-level, as in a-bridge-pier:" "cuómerged work but is also left in place: modern science, bringing a new en- vironment to the man who carry ortion of the type of work involved in werkerà beneath the surface had reasonst white knowledge that exposure for which it is intended. As a part of. There is more than one type of calsson, their labours at the river-bottom or in construction operations under water, to feel themselves, marked for death would result fatally. Med dess one of the chief outlets from New but for such andertakings as that of of progress should rebel at sus risks board the structure will carry a vast type is the accepted standard. It may It was only natural that the spirit York City toward the southern, sen bridging the Raritan the pneumatic to human fic,Belance gave the mub volume of travel, The cost of the be defined an feet ita beat attention and as evolved: bridge will amount to $4,000,000. The ture closed at the top and open at the Inverted box-a struči inson system which gives the sub undertaking being carried out by bottom. The bottom rests on the river One of the most striking examples part of the Federal-air highway system close to prevent water and mad from merged workers protection, previously, the State of New Jersey and the United bed with a pressure which causes close PBMC Buren of Public Road, contact bat this is not saaleptly of up-to-date pneumatic calssons is the The calsson, for the central gler of oozing into the box. To keep those tape now being used in the construce, thu-mammoth bridge has dimanalons substances out requires the use of com Lion of the highway bridge coussing the in keeping with those of the general-pressed air, the pressure from within
other aquatic depths.
Dangers Wiped Out,
We see the finished pler, supporting terrible farm through the lease The old dangers have passed with thought to the means by which it was followed exposure to the heavy atr
the monster bridge, and we give no known as the "bends," This malady the old romance. No longer does the bulit The portion exposed to view is pressure anderness the auriate and submarine worker take his life in his simple matter of soild masonry and He violence bamed the best skill of banda when he descends to the hidden. fow..of us realize the effort, necessary regions beneath the water. No longer to construct the arm foundation hidden agony was of common occurrence.
mediche Death in excruciating, is it necessary for him to face his task by the waters, of the tireless river. with the feeling that each day may be In past years the construction" of
Men Bent To. Their Death. his last Themedorn-caisson brings the bridge pier or the under-water! stated that in the early days of bridge In engineering circles It is eren
its useful purpose, but it afforded little The old-fashioned, diving bell served
above, and controlled by cables of the modern camson. The ball was
hollow shell supplied with air from chains. The constraction of this type the Illustrations. of apparatus is indicated, in one of
ΟΙ