A Windfall For

Tahiti

Matson Tourists Spend 1 5,000 Dollars

ON August 2, the Matson liner “Mon terey” from Sydney called at Papeete, Tahiti, on a special cruise visit, and the same day her sister-ship, “Mariposa” arrived with a boat-load of excursionists from America. For three days, the passengers and two crews, totalling more than 1,000, over-ran the island; but Tahiti did not mind particu larly—it was calculated that the visitors spent something like 15,000 dollars during their stay.

The •Monterey” cruise passengers transferred to the “Mariposa” and re turned south to Australia; while the tourists from U.S.A. left the “Mariposa” and joined the “Monterey” for her voyage north, back home.

A Traveller’S Impressions

HERE are some jottings on the round trip, written by a special repre sentative of the “P.1.M.” who travelled from Sydney to Tahiti and re turn: — As the 400 passengers from the “Mon terey”—6o of them cruise round-trippers from Australia and N.Z.—came ashore in the morning, comely Tahitian girls placed garlands of flowers about their necks. The Bank of Indo-Chine and Spitz’s curio store were quickly besieged by people wishing to convert their money into francs. The official exchange rate was 43 francs 23 centimes for 1 dollar, 139 fr. for £1 Australian, and 139 fr. 50

cm. for £1 N.Z. However, the Chinese market stores changed dollars at 55 francs on the first day and their rate in creased during each day of the visit un til it was possible to obtain 85 francs to the dollar.

The “Mariposa” arrived early in the afternoon and tied up astern of the “Monterey”, a fine feat of manoeuvring by the captain. Almost immediately the American tourists joined the “Monterey’s passengers, making Papeete's streets full of life and American voices.

Numerous excursions were arranged, including an 80-miles motor tour arouna the island, complete with a native feast

in the Tahitian manner; and a schooner trip under full sail to Moorea. From mid-day until the small hours of morn ing, the three cabarets in Papeete did a roaring trade, while featuring hula dancing, fire-walking, and boxing. Sailors from a French warship joined in all the fun—they were most jolly fellows and al ways insisted on paying their way.

In the evenings, the more select cabarets just outside Papette were well patronised, though they were far from cheap. In fact the onlv things I heard the Americans complain about were the high charges for drinks (a good bottle of champagne cost about three and a

half dollars) and the exorbitant rates charged by taxi drivers.

One interesting entertainment that in trigued the visitors was a play, adapted from an old native legend dealing with human sacrifice, performed by 40 Tahitian men and women, under the direction of Monsieur Jay at his resi dence, Taharaa.

The effect of the war and consequent disruption of shipping was seen at Papeete in a shortage of some commodi ties, especially flour and petrol. It seemed probable that there would also be a shortage of wines and liquor after the tourist ships departed; however, a good light beer is brewed in Tahiti.

Scientists At Tahiti

THOSE of us having connection with the Islands were interested to learn that Monsieur and Madame Van den Broek d’Obrenan, of the yacht “Le Korrigan II”, are now staying in Tahiti, at a plantation 15 kilometres outside Papeete. Originally attached to the Museum of Natural History in Paris, he is now in charge of the Papeete Ethno graphic Museum. Monsieur d’Obrenan, who has written several books about the Pacific, made a voyage around the world in 1934-36 in the 200 tons schooner yacht “La Korrigaine”. (Note: “La Kor rigaine”, his first yacht, meant a female elf; “Le Korrigan”, his present boat, is the masculine form of the same name.) Also in Papeete was Alain Gerbault, the former international tennis star, who has made a name for himself as a writer and lone voyager. His yacht is almost a replica of “Le Korrigan”, both being very seaworthy craft, painted black, and double-ended. Gerbault’s boat has a short bowsprit, while the mast is not as high as d’Obrenan’s yacht.

Another yacht that attracted quite a lot of attention in the Colony recently was the three-masted schooner “Director”, owned by Mrs. Fahnestock and her two sons, of Rhode Island, U.S.A. The party is collecting specimens of bird life for the American Museum of Natural History and will spend a couple of years in the Pacific and the Philippines before re turning to America, via the Horn.

Originally, they had a plane on board, but owing to the restrictions imposed by the authorities in French Oceania and other places as to where it could and could not fly, it was decided to ship the machine back to U.S.A.

Highlights Of Pago Pago

ON the way to Tahiti, we called at American Samoa. Highlights of Pago Pago were: A trip to Lauli-i, a pretty 20 miles’ journey past native villages and ruined churches, and along the shore all the way; a drink at Sadie Thompson’s Hotel, kept by Bella, a part- Samoan, and ownedi by an American who lives in the States; and a visit to the market where tappa cloth, mats, hats and curios are sold —the natives impressed everyone with their pleasantness and softly-spoken voices and there was very little “thrusting” or bargaining.

An Australian at Pago Pago, who is well-known in Norfolk Island, Fiji and Western Samoa, has charge of Burns, Philp (South Sea) Co.’s branch —Mr. D. C.

McFadyen, who has been in B.P.’s ser vice for 14 years. He is very hospitable and is popular with the residents of the American ’ territory.

Captain E. W. Hanson, Governor of American Samoa, left Pago Pago on the “Monterey” and was given a grand send off by the population. After a two years’ term of office, during which he did splen did work in providing new roads on the various islands of the Group, he has been appointed to command the U.S.

Navy cruiser “Indianapolis”.