"La Diademe"

LA Diademe is the symbol of Tahiti; the insignia of her royalty as Queen of the Pacific.

Hidden in the centre of the island, the mountain is a like a crowned sovereign, seated on her throne, sur rounded by her guards and subjects— the higher mountains —and visible only to those who approach along the road leading through the gateway of her palace.

The royal highway is the majestic gorge of Fautaua and her throne the tableland, Rupe, which extends from the foot of the mountain to the high preci pice at the far end of Fautaua Valley.

La Diademe is about 5,000 feet in height, while the flanking mountains rise to an altitude of 6,000 and nearly 7,000 feet.

Mr. H. J. Hutchinson of the New Guinea Administration, Rabaul, is at present making a motor tour of Aus tralia. He is associated with the investi gation of native claims for properties which the Germans acquired during their regime and for which the question oi compensation has not, in instances, been settled.

Mr. Hugh Stuart Forbes, of the Savu Savu Hot Springs Hotel, Fiji, died in April at the age of 55. Going to the Colony from New Zealand, he took up banana planting at Waidina River some four years before the Great War. En listing with the Fiji forces, he went to England, took a commission, and served with the King Edward Horse regiment. For a time after the war, he was in New Zealand, but eventually re turned to Fiji to take up the manager ship of Vunalagi plantation for Messrs.

Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., resigning last year after 17 years’ service. Recently, with his wife, he took over the hotel at Savu Savu.