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Indeed, to read the daily papers intelligently requires either 

 geographical knowledge or constant reference to maps, and he 

 strongly recommended readers to make a practice of such reference 

 when they felt the need of it. He thought that parents in the home 

 might do much to encourage the study of commercial geography by 

 asking questions which would excite interest and stimulate enquiry. 

 After referring to the recent great geographical achievements of Sir 

 Sven Hedin, Commander Peary and Sir Ernest Shackleton, he said 

 that while he gladly and gratefully recognised the work of those who 

 seek to extend our knowledge of far-distant and out-of-the-way parts 

 of the globe, the importance of the intensive study of limited areas 

 must not be overlooked, and this can best be promoted by local 

 Societies, such as our own. Coming to the subject for the evening 

 the lecturer said that excluding New Caledonia, which is of older 

 formation than the rest, all the islands of the S. Pacific consist of 

 three well-marked types, i.e., the atoll or lagoon coral islands, the 

 raised coral islands, and the mountainous islands of volcanic forma- 

 tion. In describing these various types of islands, he mentioned 

 that illustrations of each are to be found in the Fiji group, and said 

 that the lakes or lagoons which the reefs enclose form hot-beds for 

 wonderful marine growths and the most beautiful corals, and quoted 

 Milton's apt description of these lovely sea-girt isles : 



" That like to rich and varied gems inlay 

 The unadorned bosom of the deep." 



After describing the position of the group, he said that the 

 appearance of the islands is grandly picturesque, with richly-wooded 

 mountains rising to a height of nearly 5,000ft., intersected by valleys 

 and gorges worn by countless streams, and a palm-fringed coast 

 where the brown roofs of the native villages peep out among the 

 rich tropical verdure, while outside all come the narrow strip of sand, 

 the smooth expanse of the lagoon, and the white ring of surf, as the 

 ocean waves break upon the reef. After describing Suva and 

 Levuka, the new and the old capitals, next were seen charming 

 pictures of the scenery of the noble Rewa, and the lecturer said it 

 would be difficult to overrate the beauty of the Rewa Valley, which 

 is flanked by a lovely range of mountains, weird in shape, whose 

 exquisitely blue colour is made the more remarkable by the intense 

 richness and fertility of the river basin. Then followed illustrations 

 and descriptions of the primitive bridges and the river house-boats, 

 also the native houses and villages, and the arrangements for local 

 government were explained. Some interesting pictures of the 

 natives were shown, the native method of obtaining fire by the 

 rubbing together of pieces of wood was described and illustrated, 

 also modes of cooking and preparing food. There were some 

 striking pictures of fire-walkers, and the mystery was explained. 

 The manufacture of pottery was illustrated. In relation to edu- 

 cational work, the geography lessons were said to be specially 

 interesting. In conclusion, the lecturer referred to the old cannibal 

 practices of the people, and to the marvellous changes resulting 

 from the influence of the Word of God and the labours of the 

 missionaries. 



