The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-01-13
A Tavski Clnslili Late d
Hawaii Nd Rsvutl
Ne VISITED STRANGE lSlAmu
Made GsteosIvs Explorations lie
~ Key wovas-ir samoa Mad
a Letter 10 Cen. Blsnoo.


has a very interesting account to give
Of his Investigations there, as well ~
In other island groups Of the Pacific.
Mr.. Christian was educated at Elton
and oxford some nine years ago he
left England for Australia and found
himself In position TO realize his
ambition Of exploring the area Of the
so-saiied Malayo-Polynesian tribes. He
stayed nearly three years In Samoa
studying the Language and customs Of
the peoples. especially those who are
furthest removed from the settle
ments OF the white man. He bought
some land in the valley OF the vaisin-
gano River, near II. l.. Stevenson's
plantation at vailma. Stevenson prov
ed himself the very best of neighborS,
the kindliest OF entertainers. OF his
society and sympathy and hospitality
Mr.. Christian entertains the most
pleasing recollections. On his depart
ure for Tahiti and the Marquesas, Ste
venson took over his little plantation
and experimental nursery of economi-
cal plants at most generous figure.
The Forest Department of New South
Wales. in exchange for some packets
Of Samoan seeds. had forwarded Mr.
Christian quantities OF the seed Of
valuable Australian economic trees
Of the black butt. stringy bark. golden
waffle and various kinds OF eucalyptus
which throve excellently in the rich
soil under the care OF his right hand
man, a carefully trained Tongan ISL
ander, Tupon Of Vavau.
In Tahiti and the Marquesas Mr..
Christian spent two years carefully
and minutely studying and noting
folklore and traditions Of a kindly.
hOspitable and singularly interesting
folk. Soon after his return to Sydney
Mr.. Christian met that remarkable
Ulysses Of Pacific waters. Louis Becke.
On his advice he determined single
handed to visit Spanish Micronesia
and obtain some further and. minuter
information upon certain mysterious
ruins reported TO exist upon Donate or
Ponape and Lele, two islands lying
further to the eastward Of the extern
sive Caroline chain. By the kind OH
ces of Sir Stewart LOckhart, Colonial
Secretary, and Sir William Robinson
the Governor Of Hongkong, Mr.. Chris
tian received letters Of introduction
to General Blanco. the then Spanish
Governor Of the Philippines, who in
turn furnished him with introductions
to the two deputy Governors on Var
and Ponape-the respective seats OF
government in the Western and East.
ern Carolinea The results OF Mr.. Chris.
tian's explorations were as follows:
A Pampanga native, since executed
by the Spanish for joining the late
Philippine rebellion, took some 15(
photographs In the districts OF Xiii
u, Metalanim. Not and ChOkacf
wrongly styled Jekoits and JOkots In
the present charts). The walled islets
Of Nan-Matal, the mysterious Venice
Of Micronesia, were explored and map
ped out fairly accurately. The phone
sis Of very many native names ant
their spelling were changed from 9
meaningless jargon to their correct ma
tive renderings and accompanying sig
nifications. He also made excavations
in the central vault OF the sanctuary
OF Nan-Tanach, bringing to light 9
considerable number OF curious tools
implements and shell ornaments OF az
ancient date. Many OF the old native
legends and fairy tales were rescued
from oblivion; this slowly and with
diniculty, for there is much OF eros
grained reticepoe in the PonapeaI
character to be overcome only by min
gled patience and perseverance. Som
new information was obtained abou
the hora and marien life OF the arch!
pelago.
The former presence OF an early Ne
critic race, conquered and absorbed
0verlapped by later waves OF Polyne
sian immigrants, was fairly establish
ed. Also evidence was collected as I
the obtrusion OF many japanese word
upon the Micronesian area. The wa
deliberately demonstrated by an on
haustive list OF $50 English key word
nouns, verbs and adjectives-in III
various Micronesian dialects. In TIL
Mr.. Christian followed the example q
Codrington. Turner and Wallace, VIII
published lists of keywords ON q sim
Tar plan, grouping and comparing sid
by side the languages OF the Melans
sian. Polynesian and Indonesian q
Malayan areas.
Mr.. Christian returned home by wa
of New Zealand, Honolulu and III
United States after an absence Of neal