“Paris Of The Pacific" In Colourful Mood

Gay Animation Marks Tahiti’s July 14 Festivities

From Our Own Correspondent.

PAPEETE, August 4. rpRE July festivities, which terminated trippers from America, the co-incident arrival of two mail steamers, a Union Company freighter, and H.M.N.Z.S.

Diomede. The French war vessel Amiral Charner, which left for Auckland, New Zealand on July 22, was also in port throughout the celebrations.

Upon such occasions as these the waterfront and open spaces surrounding the new King Albert park are entirely transformed by the erection of innumerable temporary structures wherein are en-

joyed all kinds of distractions by an agglomeration of men, women and chil attire.

This crowd of vari-coloured humanity, moving slowly back and forth under a glow of lights and illuminations, is a spectacle well worth a visit to this part of the world, and is no doubt the reason that a large number of visitors from America, Australia, and New Zealand, cancelled their return voyage and are still lingering on in Tahiti enjoying the won derful weather of the best season of the year. It is very characteristic of the

Night scene during the July l4th celebrations. The heterogeneous crowd drifting through a festooned avenue in Papeete. photo .. M . Foster , Papeete.

island that, notwithstanding depression in the copra, vanilla, and shell markets, the natives always find the means—how is a standing mystery—to spend lavishly on pleasure during these periods of public enjoyment.

The official side of the celebrations was strengthened on this occasion by the attendance of Captain Cosmo Graham and officers of H.M.N.Z.S. Diomede at the re view held in front of the Post Office, and the ceremony at the monument to the Tahitians who lost their lives in the great war. Both of these functions at tracted a large crowd of the general public, in addition to the detachments of uniformed men, bemedalled officials, and school children who participated. Cap tain Graham placed a wreath on the monument on behalf of the Diomede.

The customary native community sing ing and dancing were carried out, as usual, in front of the Governor’s residence, and these also evoked enthusiasm, and attracted a large crowd. Social events included a ball at Government House on July 14, a ball on board the Amiral Char ner, on July 20, and a reception on the Diomede, also on the 20th. The Diomede was open to local visitors on July 18 and 21, and this privilege was fully taken ad vantage of by Papeete children.

In response to a general disinclination to conclude the festivities at the appointed time of midnight on July 21, Mr. George Bambridge, the Mayor of Papeete, kindly allowed a prolongation till 6 a.m. on the 22nd, when the music finally ceased.

The natives then dispersed .to their various districts with empty pockets but happy, nevertheless, to economise on fish, breadfruit, and other things which can be had without the expenditure of cash.

The proprietors of dance halls, drinking booths, and lotteries commenced to count their gains—and losses —and dismantle their temporary buildings, while Papeete residents, after a visit to the market, retired to their homes to enjoy a well earned rest and recuperate.