Rarotonga

J. M. Salmon, of Rarotonga His Connection With the Tahiti Salmons

Letter to the Editor REFERRING to the remarks of Eric Ramsden in your issues of July and August, concerning John Mortimer Salmon, I can but say that I personally knew John for some years, and as he and I were the only Europeans living in Arorangi settlement (Rarotonga) at the time we foregathered often.

Now as John was obviously a European with no strain of Polynesian blood, ap parently he could not have been de scended from Arii-taimai, of Papara (Tahiti) but this does not exclude re lationship. The Salmons of Tahiti and John mutually claimed and admitted close relationship, referring to each other as cousins. I always gathered from John that he was born in America, but grew up in Tahiti, Tati Salmon, of Tahiti, and his sister Queen Maru (wife of Pomare V) invari ably enquired concerning the welfare of their "fetii” (relative) John, from Raro tongan visitors to Tahiti. For some months, Tati Salmon was his visiting guest about 1897, as were Tati’s two sons Tauraa and Mote (understood to be native for Mortimer) in 1904.

Brander married a sister of Tati, hence the connection of John and Brander and the setting up of John in a branch store for Brander in early part of 1874 when brought to Rarotonga by Brander’s boat, the "Venus”.

John had an adopted son Willie from the Tahitian Salmons. This lad, then about 13, was drowned almost in front of my home, in 1909, I think. (We who live here in this kindly climate have hazy ideas of dates—events, not dates, are kept in mind.). John’s father, it was always understood, had been a wealthy man.

I am extending my tales regarding John Mortimer Salmon and as I have friendships which should enable me to learn as much as the Papara Salmons know of him, I shall probably have many more details for publication later on. I am principally concerned with his Raro tongan adventures, but as it seems to be a matter of some interest, I intend to ex plore further afield.

I was always given to understand that John was partly Jewish; one naturally did not press such enquiry on the "sub ject”. To me it seemed that certain minor mannerisms he had confirmed that opinion.

I am, etc.,

Cloghogue.

Rarotonga, C. 1., 2/9/1940.