Beautifying Tahiti.

Syndicat's Scheme to Attract Tourists.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Dec. 15.

As an essential part of its programme for the development of Tahiti’s tourist resources, the Syndicat d’Initiative, through its committee of foreigners, has made a commencement in the important work of beautifying the native villages and public thoroughfares of Tahiti.

Nurseries for the propagation of suit able flowering trees are to be prepared immediately, and the native inhabitants are to be encouraged to co-operate in the scheme by the distribution of prizes annually for the best kept village, the prettiest school garden, etc. A consider able sum has been contributed towards this from the Syndicat’s funds, as well as by public-spirited residents, and the Syndicat is also assured of substantial Government assistance.

It is hoped that in time the untidy, and so unpleasantly conspicuous fences, may be eliminated from the landscape and replaced by growing hedges, which will not only be much more beautiful, but much more useful in this country, where wooden fence posts swiftly decay and the best of wire barriers are broken down by falling coconut leaves.

If the Syndicat’s efforts are enthusias tically persisted in for a few years, we may expect to find the already great natural beauty of Tahiti, so enhanced as to be world-famous, and to be worth a visit from this point of view alone. A start has also been made on the scenic road from the village of Faa to Mount Marau.