Early Tahiti Records

How The Documents Were Discovered

Letter to the Editor THE century-old British Consulate papers relating to early Tahiti, which were discovered recently in Papeete, have been placed in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. The facts of the unearthing of these records may now be made clear.

In research work concerning old-time Tahiti, I had need of securing the name of the first British Consul. Not finding it generally known by the educated of Papeete, I naturally went to the then British Consul, Dr. W. J. Williams. He was entirely ignorant of the name, but said, “I have a large collection of old time papers and correspondence here which I have never looked into, not being particularly interested in the past.

You are very welcome to peruse them at your leisure.”

The huge pile was mine, and besides promptly securing the name I sought, a veritable mine of valuable information for my purpose was available to me.

Not being selfish over such treasure trove, I told many local friends of my “find.” When Mr. Eric Ramsden, of Sydney, came upon the scene, keen for all possible information re Tahiti, both past and present, I was only too ready to let him know the wonderful discovery I had casually and all ignorantly made.

He communicated the “find” to his friends at the Mitchell Library, who sent their head librarian (Miss I. Leeson) for inspection.

As the result, through the exceptional kindness of the Foreign Office, the pre sent British Consul (Mr. Garton) for warded the papers to Australia.

Instead of the documents “rusting” away, unknown even to those at Home, it has been my fortunate chance to secure them for the general public. No thanks are due to me: I have had fullest reward in securing the one name I sought: the rest was unexpected and represents over flowing riches for me and others inter ested in the past of the island.

The papers start from Charlton’s ap pointment as Consul in 1825.

I am, etc..

W. W. Bolton. M.A.

Papeete. Tahiti, 4/8/37.

Captain and Mrs. Suffern left Sydney by the Hauraki for Tahiti in August, after spending several months’ holiday in Victoria. Their home is on Makatea Island in the Tuamotu Archipelago, where Captain Suffern is employed by the Compagne Francaise des Phosphates de POceanie.

Mr. E. Taylor, District Officer at Sala maua, New Guinea, was formally pre sented with the M.B.E. (Membership of the Order of the British Empire) by the Australian Governor - General (Lord Gowrie) on August 10. Mr. Taylor is one of the best known and most highly esteemed officials in New Guinea.