Tahiti Tourist Premises

Searched For Foreign

Currency

Prom Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE. August 8.

MR. ORIZON GOODING, who is known to all as “Ripley,” has informed all steamship lines calling at Papeete that he will not accept foreign tourists at his hotel, which is recognised as the best on the island.

This decision follows a search which was made of his premises by local Customs officers and police on the day of the de parture of a Trans Oceanic Airways fly ing-boat. The search was alleged to be for foreign currency.

Mr. Gooding has taken strong exception to the search, as well he might, and pro tests have been made to the Metropolitan French Government on the way that Customs authorities in Papeete annoy tourists and others in this way.