Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/168

128 for Europeans, but no boarders in it. Chinese are not allowed to own land here, yet they say he is quite rich, as he deserves to be. What would such lands do without these industrious, clever Chinese, who are so quiet, peaceable, and orderly, and invaluable in so many ways? I bought native money—cowrie shells—from this man, and we all remained with him for some time, yarning. Messrs. Walin and Kooman—the latter married to a niece of Queen Emma—entertained us to a whisky and soda at one bungalow. It was a most comfortable and tastefully tended house. Herr Walin told me he had just bought a “beautiful group of islands” for his company, Hermsheim and Co., from the natives for £7, IOS. in trade, which meant about £3 in money! Captain Niedermayer burst out laughing at the look of desire and greed that came into my face—for my island or group of islands is being much discussed. Walin said it took him a whole day to bargain with the natives, as they did not want to sell. He bargained through an interpreter, and the natives said they understood what they were doing!

The system of land purchase here, so far as I understand it, is as follows: Permission is first obtained from the Governor to bargain with the natives for their land. They never want to part with it, but are dazzled with the concertinas, scarlet cloth, beads, and other “trade” displayed to them, and cajoled into agreeing to sell. They seldom understand what it is all about, but are supposed to do so, and to agree to part with it for a small sum in “trade.” Having got your land, island, or whatever it may be, for some trifle, as little as you can, you then have to buy it again from the Government. What you pay depends on who you are and how the Governor likes you. You may get it for almost nothing, or be asked a