Gales In French Oceania

Two Schooners Lost

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 6.

UNPRECEDENTED stormy weather in French Oceania, during November, left in its wake a number of broken ships.

Of these, the Hotu, owned by Galois and Co., a former Blue-Nose fishing boat, was driven onto the island of Vahitahi, in the Tuamotus; while the Denise, owned by John and Sam Mervin, becoming waterlogged and unmanageable, was abandoned at sea. Both vessels were well known, two-masted, trade schooners, of Papeete and both are reported a total loss.

Around-The-World Odyssey

NEWS has just been received in Tahiti regarding the world cruise of the Mexican yacht, Barca de Oro (Ship of Gold), which was in Papeete two years ago, where it was joined on its memorable voyage by young Philip Cowan, Jr., just then out of school, son of Mr. and Mrs.

Jack Cowan, of Papeete.

The Barca de Oro started from its home port, Acapulco, in July, 1947. Formerly the 56 ft., 23-year-old, two-masted schooner, Countess, with a Bermuda mainsail and auxiliary engine, her new owner, Enrique Ortega, after purchasing her for £5,000 and spending another £9OO on refitting her, re-named her Ship of Gold.

The trip was commenced with her owner, Mr. Ortega, Guillerme Heimpel, and two Mexican seamen aboard. After visiting Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands, the two seamen left the ship, and in their place Gil Daft, an American, and Philip Cowan, a British subject, were

signed on. At Mauritius, Maurice Sauzier, a fifth member of the crew joined them.

After leaving Tahiti, the ship visited the Cook Islands, Samoa. Fiji, New Caledonia, Brisbane, Timor, Bali, Batavia, the Cocos Islands and Rodriguez.

At Capetown, the Barca de Oro had a narrow shave when she was nearly run down in the night off Cape Point. “We were doing about seven knots and I think the ship must have misjudged our speed,” said Philip Cowan. “We had the wind right aft, and if we had attempted to alter course we would have gybed. The other vessel, which appeared to be a black-hulled Liberty ship, seemed to be pulling away from land, and although we had a searchlight on our sails as well as our sailing lights she cut close across our bow and gave us a bad scare.

“Then we passed over her logline—and I hope we broke it,” he concluded, grimly.

From Cape Town the Barca de Oro is heading for St. Helena, Rio de Janeiro, the Panama Canal and, finally, Acapulco.

Death Of M. Emile Laguesse

M. EMILE LAGUESSE, a well-known resident of Tahiti, died in Papeete in November after a brief illness.

M. Laguesse was bom in Paris in 1890.

At an early age he moved with his parents to Tahiti, Entering business as a young man he soon became prominent and, from 1923 until 1948, was secretary

treasurer of the Papeete Chamber of Commerce. In the latter year he was elected president of the Chamber and continued in that office until his death.

Headed by Governor Anziani, a large number of mourners followed the hearse on foot to the cemetery where an oration on the deceased was delivered by his life long friend, M. Albert Leboucher, M. Laguesse is survived by two daughters, Yvette and Janine. The former is married to M. Henri Jacquier, pharma cist, of Papeete. All three are at this time travelling abroad.

Travellers

RECENT departures by TRAPAS Air ways include:— M. Henri Gaignard, Counsellor for the Union Francaise who has been on official business in Papeete the last two months, during which a great number of entertainments were given in his honour. He arrived at the airplane sur rounded by friends, literally hidden among garlands of tropical flowers. M. Gaignard who is an MRP was, at the outbreak of the late war, an officer aboard the con verted Cap de Palmes.

IVX. Lachenal, Communist Counsellor of Union Francaise, who also has been in Papeete two months, and who arrived at the airplane alone.

Mr. William Pennington, who has been in Papeete three months studying, in the

interest of a group of Honolulu capitalists, the prospects of the tourist business. Mr, Pennington is returning home with a favourable report and expects to return to Papeete in January to inaugurate the building of a first-class modern hotel here.

The Misses Iris and Jacqueline Carlson, accompanied by M. Pedro Ezaguire, on their way to Paris where they will be guests of M. and Madame Ezaguire.

Mr. G. Blaisdell, formerly for many years Chief of the Honolulu Fire Depart ment. Mr. Blaisdell arrived in Papeete last September in the American yacht, Seaward.

Sister Superior General Mere Le tourneux, of the Soeurs de Saint Cluny, who has been in Papeete some weeks in specting the various schools of the Sisters.

During her stay a round of festivities was

given in her honour by members of the Catholic community.

Sister Gallagher who is accompanying the Mother Superior to Rarotonga to con tinue the work of inspection of the schools there.

Recent departures from Papeete for France by the steamer, Khouribga, in cluded:— Monsieur and Madame Calamy, heirs of the late Father Rougier, of Christmas Island fame, and late of Fiji.

The Rev. Father Calixte Olivier, who is making his first return to his native land after a sojourn in Tahiti of 30 years.

He expects to be back in about six months.

Monsieur and Madame Boubee, also making a first visit to Paris after 25 years. Monsieur Boubee is connected with the Department of Agriculture of Tahiti, in which capacity he has been instru mental in making many notable additions to the flora of French Oceania. He is also now owner of the extensive botanical gardens at Papeari, which he inherited from the late Harrison Smith.

Nz Governor-General Expected

NEWS has been received in Tahiti that the Governor-General of New Zea land will visit Papeete with ships of the New Zealand Navy some time in 1950 —probably May.

Mr. N. G. Cassidy, who has been ap pointed' Senior Chemist in the Fiji De partment of Agriculture, is expected to arrive in the Colony from Australia in January.

Mr. M. H. Benjamin, who has been Postmaster Suva, retired on December 31, and his place has been taken by Mr. J.

H. F. Wiley.