Tahiti's Wounded
Soldiers
Letter to the Editor THE article in August “PIM” about the arrival of Tahiti’s wounded soldiers made interesting reading; but a few details were omitted.
Your correspondent did not say that the wounded were ashore at least two days without being received officially in any way. Mr. Jack Cowan, a well-known resident of Papeete, called affectionately “'lata' by the Tahitian people, then arranged a “tamaraa” (feast) for the wounded soldiers, some of whom had been his employees prior to enlisting.
This “tamaraa Tahiti” took place some five days after the arrival of the volun teers. Proper authority was invited, but requested that the feast should be post poned. They were, evidently, ashamed mat an official reception had not been arranged. It was, then, rather late in the aay to cease arrangements for the Cowan “tamaraa,” because the “oura,”
“nato,” “miti haari” and other Tahitian delicacies were practically on the table, bo the “tamaraa” took place, and was a huge success. Authority attended in force.
In the afternoon there was a “vin d’honneur” arranged by the NCO’s of the Tahiti soldiery for their companions in arms; and a hurriedly-arranged official banquet took place at night. The latter was a “flop,” The returned soldiers were not capable (physically) of coping with the three functions.
The soldiers were received so well in Sydney, at the Polynesian Club, then later in New Zealand, at the Polynesian Club there, and received such a welcome from the Maori people at Rotorua, that it seems peculiar that officialdom, in their own country did not arrange an immediate reception.
These wounded men were lodged mis erably in “ ’tween decks,” in an atmo sphere strongly redolent of phosphates.
The officer and NCO’s were lodged in cabins. Lieutenant Gilbert, to his great credit, offered his cabin to a legless sol dier, and the ship’s firemen gave up their own cabin to three other soldiers.
The soldiers were fed on rice and dry fish, mainly, with very little variation.
I am, etc..