Lone Voyagers

Why Tahiti Does Not Cheer

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, June 8.

ANOTHER “man against the sea” has appeared at Papeete in the person of Monsieur Bernicot. He navigated his craft—a smart, trim 30ft. sloop named Afuihita —from France via the Straits of Magellan, stopping en route at the Argen tine and at the Gambier Islands.

If Monsieur Bernicot were like some of these sea adventurers —which he decided ly is not —he would be pained and grieved because a guard of honour was not turned out, a salute of 21 guns fired and the freedom of the city bestowed upon him in celebration of his daring exploit. An earlier round-the-world navi gator, who writes books, became very peevish because these honours were not conferred upon him. When he arrived home and wrote the saga of his voyage htf devoted some pages of his master piece to some very unkind and caustic remarks about the blindness and indif ference at Tahiti to genius and distinc tion.

These heroes should not take the matter too much at heart. The truth is that we are in somewhat the same position as the crowds at agricultural fairs, in the presence of repeated acts by parachute jumpers. At the first performance they are thrilled; at the second, interested; at the, third, bored; until finally a dozen parachute artists cannot draw their at tention from the two-headed calf or the prize pumpkin of the year’s competition.

We have seen all these lone navigators who have braved the dangers of the Seven Seas in flimsy boats, and our capa city to raise a temperature over their exploits is atrophied because of over indulgence. These brave and most agree able gentleman should not blame us. We rejoice to see them; we admire their achievements, and when we bid them bon voyage we wish their safe arrival to civic welcomes, medals, loving cups, blow ing whistles and literary success with all the goodwill in the world.