Agricultural Fair Held at Tahiti

Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 2.

A N agricultural fair, combined with an exhibition of native handicrafts and a carnival of sports, was opened on November 10 by His Excellency, Monsieur Chastenet de Gery, Governor of French Oceania. The programme was the most comprehensive ever undertaken in the colony and included every department of agricultural, horticultural, and industrial activity of the islands.

Until the 21st, the morning of each day was set apart for the inspection and judging of the exhibits. The afternoons were devoted to sports contests, such as horse-racing, tennis, fotball, and native dancing. A carnival was inaugurated on November 18 with the election of the Queen of the Exposition and her maids of honour. In the evening of the 19th, adepts from Raiatea celebrated the mysterious fire-walking ceremony.

The site of the Exposition—the Hippo dome de La Fautaua —was lavishly pre pared with buildings and pavilions con structed after the Tahitian fashion; newly-laid tennis courts; reconstructed race-tracks; and a new grandstand.

The executive officers of the Exposition were: President, M. Aumont, chef de la Circonscription Administrative de Tahiti et Dependances; Vice President, G. Bam bridge, Mayor of Papeete; and commit tees of each section and the chiefs of the districts.