The Numerous Princesses Of Tahiti

Explanation of a Curious Social Phenomenon

Letter to the Editor

WHEN— now full 10 years past—the writer came hither seeking (and finding) quiet and retirement after a strenuous career, clear up to man’s al lotted span, he was surprised at the number of Princesses who roamed the streets of Papeete.

The absence of Princes was as re markable. Possibly they hid themselves from public view through modesty. One only he saw—none could fail to see him — Prince Hinoi—for he was a huge man, head and shoulders towering above the tallest on the island, and of gigantic pro portions.

It was natural enough to look into the matter for one’s own satisfaction. It took time, for one met with a very maze of contradictions and there were tomes to be secured and read.

The upshot was truly astonishing. Some —happily not all—based their claims upon the fact that they were the grand nieces of Queen Marau Salmon, the tem porary consort of Pomare V. She had been a Queen for 13 years, and it was claimed that her nieces and grand-nieces and those yet to follow were princesses.

It is as if our English Queen, who was a Bowes-Lyon, bestowed upon all her Bowes-Lyon nieces and grand-nieces yet to come that same high rank; which, as Euclid would express it, is absurd.

Maybe, the temptation was too over powering to be resisted. It was something to be a princess among the swarm here of the gentler sex. Tourists fell to it— especially, one regrets to say, Americans —it was not everyday that one dines and wines with a princess—nothing was too good for such a divinity. Some even ser iously contemplated marriage, bearing off to their far off homes a live princess—to the astonishment and fearsome jealousy of their friends.

As to princes, it was not modesty that accounted for their absence, but plain commonsense. They knew the claim was preposterous. If the women chose to play the game, let them! It really hurt no one save the gullible tourist and if he was such an ignorant fool, let him pay the price.

But, to the writer, it does not appear in that light—it is abusing an honoured title and not “playing the game”. These self-termed princesses should stand on firmer ground. Charm, beauty and oft fine figure are theirs; pretence and affec tation are but sand. Disillusionment is bound to come sooner or later and, with it, contumely and contempt by those de ceived.

This careless handling of European titles was further pressed home to the writer by the abuse of the still higher title of “King”. There was talk —and there still appears to be talk —of one of Queen Pomare’s younger sons as “King of Moorea”. Kingship is synonymous with sovereignty. The sovereignty of Moorea was the Queen’s. If he was “King”, then Moorea had suddenly become a separate State from Tahiti. What he really was is what the first Pomare vainly tried to be come upon Tahiti, the “Paramount Chief” —the leading chief of all. Makini became that on Moorea in Cook’s day; Teriita punui was created that by his mother, the then Tahitian sovereign. He was, if one can coin the word, the Ari’i of the Ari’i rahi, and the lesser Ari’i of Moorea. If

there be a special word it is certainly not file equivalent of “King”, which implies territorial possession.

The Leeward Islands being separate States from Tahiti till the London Treaty of 1888 was abrogated, and France mas tered them with arms, there were rightly both Kings and Queens thereon; but Moorea, since Mahini’s day, has been as it is to-day, an appenage to Tahiti. The misuse of the title is as if Princess Beat rice for long years past the “Governor” of the Isle of Wight (the small appenage to England off its south coast) was

•Queen of the Isle of Wight”. There would be short shrift at Home if such a claim were made by ill-advised corres pondents, much less talk.

It is surely high time that these flag rant perversions of titles should cease; and, if the writer is privileged to aid in some small measure in such good work, he is well repaid for his long and inter esting research.

A thing which he has been long im pressed with is that the (socially) upper grade of Tahitian half-castes have talked and talked to outsiders till they have lost in large measure the basic facts. In con fusing themselves, they confuse their hearers. The writer long suffered, so he knows; and it has taken years of quiet perseverance to sift the wheat from the chaff. It was well worth the trouble, for Tahiti’s past is not inglorious—though it has dark spots and none darker than

those preceding the coming of the white man—despite the novelist, who grows eloquent on “the noble savage” of a dav now passed.

I am, etc.,

W. W. Bolton.

Tahiti, 10/10/’3B. (This subject is also dealt with in a series of letters published on page 38 Ed.).

Mr. B. W. Bramell, former Commis sioner for Native Affairs in Papua, where he served in the Public Service for over 20 years, died recently in Sydney from pneumonia. He was 71 years old. One of his sons, Mr. J. C. Bramell, is a Pa trol Officer in the Papuan Administra tion, and is stationed at Lake Kutubu.