Carnival Queen

A Charming Princess of Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 4.

THE Agricultural Exhibition and Car nival at Papeete during the period November 10 to 21 was the most comprehensive and successful affair of the kind our island has seen.

As the queen of the carnival, the happy choice was one of the daughters of Prince Ariipaea Pomare —the Princess Aimata- Vahine-Tuanui-Pomare. Three of her sisters Princess Hina-Arii-Tetuanui-i- Te - Ra’i - Poia - i - Te - Aratai - ia- Faanui - Evau - Pomare, Princess Tetua Pomare, Princess Maeva Pomare —attended her as maids of honour.

The Carnival Queen was costumed after the manner of the old times in tapa cloth and more, and invested with the ancient insignia of royalty, which were; Te-Ata-o-Tu (the red feather crown), Nuna’ehau (the red feather fan) and Paia-i-Te-Faurua (the iron wood sceptre). The Maids of Honour wore costumes similar to that of the Queen and were crowned with wreaths of frag rant pua blossoms. Handsome and graceful

young women, they created a picture of rare charm and dis tinction.

Prince Ariipaea Po mare, the grandson of Prince Terii-Tua Jouinville * Pomare (brother of Pomare V., the last king of Tahiti) and son of the late Prince Terii- Hinoi - Atua (the adopted son of his uncle, King Pomare) is now the head of the foyal family of Tahiti. It is most appropriate that the first carnival queen of Tahiti should be chosen from among the charming daugh ters of that family.

The King of the Carnival was a young man from the district of Arue, by the name of Punua-Arii.

In the Tahitian language—as well as

in Samoan —a special language was used in addressing the king or queen. Each possession of the king and queen had its particular name. The above titles of the red feather crown, fan and iron wood sceptre are most interesting revivals of old custom for this Carnival occasion.

The Queen of the Carnival and her attendants.

Left to right: Princess Tetua Pomare; Princess Aimata Pomare (Queen of the Carnival) ; Princess Hina-Arii Pomare.

Seated: Princess Maeva Pomare.