This book was written in 1929 and carries with it the spirit of the times. We believe it is dangerous to edit the language and attitudes of the past to conform to the ethos of the present, amongst other things lest we forget. We reprint it here in its entirety, convinced that the author’s love of the Southern Pacific and his insight into the culture of Puka-Puka were both exceptional for his times and remain an invaluable resource.