After 45 Years.

Lloyd Osbourne Revisits Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent.

THE famous stepson and collaborator of the late Robert Louis Stevenson, Mr. Lloyd Osbourne, arrived in Tahiti by the s.s. “Recherche” a few days ago on an extended visit, and is at present staying at the Hotel Tahiti.

It is some 45 years ago since the illus trious “R.L.S.” came to this island on his yacht “Casco,” with the intention of remaining here for the rest of his days —to change his mind, later, in favour of Samoa; and, while the “march of pro gress” is slow in these parts, yet Mr.

Osbourne cannot but be conscious of many changes which have taken place since his first visit, and not all of them for the better.

In those days, there were, of course, no motor cars, and there was no road worthy of the name. A muddy, over grown track meandered from village to village through the jungle and along the beach, and finally brought the traveller to Tautira, the settlement Stevenson elected to live in, which is distant about 50 miles from Papeete. The trip was always something of an adventure, either by the overland route, or by sail ing boat, which was the usual method of transportation.

Nowadays, an up-to-date ’bus makes the journey in a couple of hours every day of the week, and the fare is a mere trifle of 10 francs.

Mr. Osbourne is also bound to notice the great increase in the number of Chi nese, as compared with the year 1888; the diminution of the purely native population, brought about by the great epidemic of 1918 and other causes; the preponderance of half-castes of all sorts in and around Papeete; and the dis placement of native customs by modern innovations.

So far as we are aware, the only other member of the “Casco’s” company now alive is “Jimmy” Larsen, then an A. B., but now Captain Larsen, and well known to everybody in Tahiti as a suc cessful island skipper.

Mr. Lloyd Osbourne has been living in England, California, and France; and he intends returning to the latter country at the conclusion of his visit here.