Society Is. Mystery

Solved

Castaways were Four Tahitians Escaping from Mopiha

From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, August 7.

ON June 27 a radio message was re ceived from the Port Darwin stating that while passing Bellingshausen Island (an atoll at the most western extremity of the Society Archipelago) a great smoke was observed. The vessel went in as closely as she prudently could, but on account of the dangerous reefs and heavy seas could not send one of her small boats to investigate.

The ship was near enough, however, for the captain to discern, through his glass, the figure of a man signalling for assist ance.

The Governor of French Oceania took measures to send immediately a schooner to Bellingshausen, as suggestions had been received from Australia that the castaway might have been the lost aviator, C. P. T.

Ulm.

It was found that five young Tahitians, employed on the coconut plantations of Mopiha (in the Society Group about 100 miles from Bellingshausen) after having been ill-treated by the resident manager, had escaped in a small boat. They had endeavoured to navigate it to Raiatea the seat of government for the Western Society Islands.

The natives lost their bearings. After drifting for five days, their boat was wrecked during the night on the reefs of Bellingshausen. One of the boys was drowned. The other four got ashore and existed on coconuts and shell fish until help arrived.

The schooner Danys from Papeete rescu ed the castaways. Under the authority of the Administrator of the Leeward Society Islands, she called at Mopiha, and the plantation manager was arrested. He will be tried before the Court at Papeete.

Sub-Inspector A. J. Chichester, of the Fiji Constabulary, accompanied by Mrs.

Chichester, arrived in Suva from leave by the August Mariposa.