New Fish Cannery For

Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 20.

A PLAN for the establishment here of a fish-canning plant in Tahiti (simi lar to that in Fiji) submitted by Mr.

Lewis Hirshon, has received the tentative approval of the Government, and it is expected that Hawaiian Tuna Packers, of Honolulu, will put it into effect. Mr. Alan Davis is to arrive on January 15 on a 250-tons refrigerated ship, accompanied by a smaller vessel.

The main business will be the catching and canning of fish of the Tuna variety, and fishmeal, fertilisers, and vitamin oils will be processed for world markets, with preference for France. There is a plenti ful supply of fish in these waters, especi ally of the Tuna variety.

Closing Of American Consulate

THE former American Consulate build ing has now been leased to Mr. O G. Nordman, of Tahiti. This land was granted to United States for the Con sulate by Queen Pomare in 1832, and was confirmed by the French Government in 1848. For 116 years the American Consul ate has given excellent service, and it was with deep regret that the community saw the departure of the Stars and Stripes.

Mr. Nordman, as well as many others, was registered there, as a child, as an Ameri can citizen: and many were the dinners and receptions held in this delightful old Consular residence. It is the fond hope of all that some day the American Con sulate will be re-established in Tahiti American affairs for French Oceania are now controlled by the American Lega tion in Wellington, NZ.

Merchant Killed

MR. ELIAS SALEM, a Syrian by birth, on November 24 was run over and killed by a car, while on his way to say farewell to his son, leaving on the schooner “Stella Maris,”

Mr. Salem, a former pearl merchant, and his wife, arrived in Tahiti in 1907 where 12 children were born to them The family became favourably known for their industry and generosity.

Treasure-Seekers

PERMISSION has been given to an ex pedition of treasure-seekers, to hunt for the much-sought-after “lost” treasure on the island of Pinaki, in the Tuamotu Group. The party will leave New Zealand shortly for Papeete.

Many years ago an Australian, Charles Howe, while an inmate of a Sydney hos pital, was handed a chart of this lost treasure by a dying patient, whom he had. befriended. Mr. Howe came to Tahiti but after several years of fruitless search! left the Islands, and never returned.

Paa May Call At Tahiti

IT is reported that Pan American Air ways will make Papeete a port of call in the future. Their requests were granted in the last session of the Repre sentative Assembly.

The second flight of Airways TRAPAS from New Caledonia is due at Papeete on December 24.

Air France may make Tahiti a port of call on its Round-the-,World schedule The American yacht “Ornant” arrived on December 6 and plans a regular pas senger service (about every 2 months) between Honolulu and Papeete.