Tahitian Prince

Important Change in the Famous Pomare Family

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Feb. 20.

ANOTHER of the ancient Royal family of Tahiti —the famous Pomare dynasty— who ruled Tahiti from the days of Cap tain Cook until the islands were finally taken over as a French Colony, has passed away in the person of Prince Arii Aue-Te Vahitua-Patea Pomare, who died on January 9, 1934.

The deceased Prince was the eldest son of the celebrated Prince Terii Hinoi Atua, who died in 1917, and who, during his lifetime, was the recognised head of the Royal family. Prince Terii Hinoi was the son of Tuauira—better known as Prince Joinville—who was the younger brother of Pomare V., the last King of Tahiti.

With the cession of Tahiti and its de pendent islands to the French, the mon archy came virtually to an end, and the title lapsed with the death of the King.

But Prince Terii Hinoi had already been designated as the heir to the throne, and his successors have ever since been re garded as the legitimate heads of the family of Pomare.

Prince Arii Aue was a man of com manding presence, who in stature tow ered above all others in the islands; and he was built in proportion. He thus pos sessed in a high degree those distinguish ing characteristics of Tahitian aristoc racy, which were remarked upon by the early European explorers, and which re main to this day a mark of the highest and most ancient lineage.

The interment took place in the private cemetery maintained by the Royal family at Arue, and was attended by His Ex cellency the Governor of the Colony, many high officials, and a great concourse of Tahitians, who came to pay a last tribute to their esteemed High Chief and descendant of their ancient kings.

Speeches were made by H. E. The Gov ernor, and (in the Tahitian language) by Teriierooiterai, chief of the Papenoo dis

trict. The ceremony was conducted with military honours.

The surviving children of Prince Terii Hinoi Atua are: Prince Arii Paea (who has now become the head of the Pomare family), and Princess Tetua Nui Pomare, who is better known to Europeans as Ma dame Cowan. Prince Arii Paea has nine children —a promise that the direct Royal line will not become extinct, notwith standing the fact that the late Prince Arii Aue died without issue.