Pacific Island Paddle from New Hebrides Collection

Old Pacific Island paddle, carved 197 cm Dr. Barry lake, a collection of New Hebrides artefacts Dr. Lake was a Presbyterian missionary in the New Hebrides in 1965 and then 1973 to 1978. Dr. Lake's time included periods as junior school principal, Efate island (1965), missionary at Southwest bay on the island of Malekula (1973 to 1976), and as secondary school chaplain/teacher, Efate island (1977-1978) the Condominium of the New Hebrides, jointly run by the British and the French, became the Republic of Vanuatu in 1980. Barry has many tales to tell of his time on the islands, including burying the last active cannibal on Malekula. He also talks of how he was monitored by French security agents. He was closely acquainted with Walter Lini, the country's first Prime Minister; and also, Ati George Sokomanu, the country's first President. He assisted with arrangements for the visit of David Attenborough to Malekula when he filmed an episode of his documentary series the tribal eye, broadcast in 1975. Examples of the artefacts consigned to auction can be seen in that film.