Yesterday

A Man Who Knew

Lote Mr. T. S. Adams, of Tahiti

ONE of the writer’s most cherished memories is his friendship with Mr.

Thomas Stratford Adams.

Mr. Adams was one who knew a yester day that began in the early decades of the nineteenth century. He was born near London, England, in 1825. His parents having died when he was very young, he was cared for by his grand-parents who lived in France. His childhood was passed in that country. When he became older he was sent to school in England. Dur ing this period he went often to Kensing ton Gardens, where he frequently saw a young princess who in later years be came Queen Victoria.

Later he went to sea as an apprentice.

One of his early voyages was to the is land of St. Helena on the ship which brought Napoleon’s body to France.

Afterwards, he visited Constantinople, and he remembered the antique wide mouthed cannon that shot marble cannon balls, in the forts defending the Dar danelles.

In the year 1841 he came to Tahiti.

At Tahiti, he knew the “Duff” mis sionaries, Henry Nott and William Henry.

At Mangareva he met the founders of the Roman Catholic Mission in Central Polynesia, Pere Laval and Pere Caret.

When gold was discovered in Cali fornia—in the year 1849—Mr. Adams was at Honolulu, and he joined in the rush Malaria was prevalent and repeated attacks compelled Mr. Adams to return to Tahiti.

During the 1850's he made many voy ages to the Fiji Islands where he knew and traded with Cakobau. Fiji at that time was a dangerous place. There were constant inter-island and inter-tribal wars. Cakobau was, however, gaining ascendancy as paramount chief, and his protection gave Mr. Adams and his ship mates safe conduct throughout the islands of his dominion.

From one end of the Pacific to the other Mr. Adams was an eye-witness of events that modern historians seek dili gently through dusty books and musty records to verify.

Islands kings and queens, higii chiefs and warriors, naval commanders and ad ministrators, pioneers and adventurers, who figure in the history and legend of Polynesia during the middle decades of the last century, were vivid characters in the narratives of Mr. Adams’ experiences Those whose privilege it was to know

him have regretted that he did not write his memoirs.

Mr. Adams eventually became a planter at Tahiti. He established the first suc cessful sugar plantation in that island on land which is now the charming New Papeete.

After a long and honourable career he died, in 1915, at the venerable age of 90 years. His descendants constitute one of the oldest and most respected families in the colony.

A.C.R.

Mr. Thomas Stratford Adams.