Tahiti's Servicemen
p. 56 · Read in the full issue
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From Our Own Correspondent
Papeete, May 6.
OUR aito —our valiant warriors—have come home.
From Semaphore Hill. Maeva, the salute to kings; and from Farerauape Plateau (to the east), a blazing Cross of Lorraine flushed through the darkness— Tahiti’s message of welcome, as the “Sagittaire” approached the island, before the dawn of May 5.
Tragedy, unhappily, overshadowed the home-coming for, just before the “Sagit taire” came within sight of Tahiti, a sol dier of Tahiti, and a lady of New Cale donia on board, had died. Ashore —as our island people hastened from the country side —a serious motor accident had caused death and injury.
For this reason, the stately ceremonies of reception by His Excellency and the high dignitaries of the Colony were meas ured to express the deep emotions of bereavement and sympathy.
From the ship—as is the custom at all home-comings of our soldiers —the Bat talion marched in companies to services of thanksgiving held in the several churches of Papeete.
Tragedy may cloud; but it cannot quench the joy of re-union.
Tahiti has prepared a welcome—from all the resources of pride and gratitude—to do honour to her heroes.