Noted Tahiti Residents

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From a Special Correspondent

Papeete, Feb. 3.

THE British steamer, SS “Marabank,” chartered by the British Phosphate Commission, called at Papeete on January 30 to embark Captain R. J.

Owen, who, two months previously, had been landed from the same ship suffering with severe burns, sustained from an acci dent aboard the vessel while 3QO miles out at sea.

Several local people took this oppor tunity to go to New Zealand. Among them were Miss Colette Walker, daughter of a former British Vice-Consul, Mr. L. G.

Blackie, Monsieur Gaston Montarpn, Mr.

Henrix Spitz, and Commandant Pierre Mariotti.

Commandant Pierre Mariotti .toined General de Gaulle’s forces early in the war and was decorated with the Military Cross.

Monsieur Mariotti was also in the North African landing, and was then sent to Tahiti as Commandant of the Navy, in charge of the French gunboat, “Chev reuil.” Later he commanded the French Naval Base at New Caledonia, working closely with the Australian and American forces.

From New Zealand Monsieur Mariotti is going to the New Hebrides to look after his timber interests.

At All Saint’s Church, Woollahra, Syd ney on February 21, Miss Nan Otto was married to Mr. Michael Townsend of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Administration.

Mr. Charles Friend, also of the G & E Administration acted as best man at the wedding.