Treasure Seekers.

Lonely Hermit of The Tuamotus.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Aug. 8.

THE ending of a long story of crime, bloodshed, and rich adventure by the discovery of the Cocos Island treasure, as reported in papers from New Zealand and elsewhere, has set the old-timers’ tongues a-wagging.

They are wondering if, after all, there may not be some truth behind the story of still another hoard on one of that labyrinth of islands known as the Tu amotu archipelago, and whether the employment of the latest scientific de vices used by Col. Lecky on Cocos might not bring the long-drawn quest to an equally successful conclusion.

Some of us recall the day, many years ago, when a certain individual dropped off the north-bound mail steamer, bought a few supplies, and vanished over the Eastern horizon on one of the island schooners, to be forthwith forgotten for many a long year.

Then, his funds having come to an end, he reappeared in Papeete in search of succour and financial aid to bring his plans to fruition. He had been subsisting largely on fish and coconuts on an uninhabited atoll, and was burnt to the colour of a Tuamotu native. But he was hot on the trail of what he came to seek.

Hard-headed business men put money into the venture on a share basis, and some others even went so far as to mortgage all they possessed in order to participate. So off our friend sailed again, to his island, in a schooner specially chartered and fully equipped to lift the loot, but with com pany this time. The expedition proved a failure and returned to Papeete with an empty ship. It was also minus the promoter, who again showed his faith by electing to remain on the island and continue the search single-handed.

Later on, our treasure seeker degen erated into vagabondage and received a polite request to leave the Colony, where he was becoming a public nuis ance.

But, even then, he did not relinquish the quest, and as recently as last year made another attempt to land in Tahiti, though without success. He did, however, while on board the steamer, induce a visiting yachtsman to take a hand in the game, and this gentleman subsequently spent some time at the island, with equally discouraging results.

Naturally, this affair could not be kept entirely secret. Rumour, aided by the “coconut radio,” soon worked up a story, and then embellished it and ex aggerated the same even to the extent of the actual lifting of the treasure and giving the value thereof in pounds, dollars, and francs. But, from time to time, details bearing at least the pos sibility of truth, did leak out, to a few.

The nameless old man dying in hos pital and imparting his secret to a be nevolent stranger; the theft of a loot laden vessel: the flight from Peru; the hiding of the treasure; and the sub sequent obliteration of landmarks by the tidal waves and shifting coast lines of the Tuamotus —all this may or may

not have a background of truth, but there was at least one person who had enough faith in the story to endure many years of hardship on one of the least attractive places in the Pacific.

Where others have failed someone, using Colonel Lecky’s appliances, might at least have a sporting chance of success.

It is reported that the Pratten in terests have secured important mining leases in the Lower Wattut area of the Morobe goldfield, New Guinea. The late Mr. H. E. Pratten and his brother were instrumental in introducing Aus tralian capital to the Malayan tin mines, where rich rewards were secured.