US Closes Papeete Consulate

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Oct. 6

FR reasons of economy the American Consulate in Papeete, Tahiti, has been closed down and the property will be sold.

This came as a shock to the Consul, Mr. Winifred H. Scott, the Vice-Consul, Mr. T. A. Herrick, and to residents of Tahiti.

An American consulate was established in Tahiti 116 years ago when, in 1832, Queen Pomare gave a grant of land for a building. A building was subsequently erected at the expense of the American Consul of the day and each subsequent Consul purchased the property from his predecessor until the time of Consul Sal mon who did not sell. There is a record, in 1868, of a suit begun by Mrs. Salmon for the recovery of rent from a Consul Perkins. Perkins finally bought the building for 300 dollars but the US Gov ernment did not reimburse him and the title to the building was retained by him.

This building was, however, later * des troyed by a cyclone and in 1906 the US Government appropriated sufficient money to erect the present building.

Mr. Scott left Papeete by the “Waite mata” in October. Mr. Herrick will re main in Papeete to supervise the sale of the building, furniture, etc.

This sudden decision of the US Govern ment has come as a disappointment to local residents with whom the officers of the consulate were popular.