Tahiti Seeks Tourists

Plans For a Big Hotel

Papeete. Nov. 30.

TAHITI has entered the field as a com petitor for tourist business and is going after it in a big way.

M. Anziani, the new Governor of French Oceania, is heartily committed to the project, while Honolulu capitalists are already investigating Tahiti as an outlet for the investment of capital in de luxe hotels and other tourist enterprises.

When questioned recently regarding the purpose of his presence in Papeete, in the interest of the Earl Thacker company of Honolulu, Mr. William Pennington said: “Subject to confirmation by Hawaii principals, the site for the contemplated hotel, to be constructed with American capital, is already decided upon.

“Alexander Taran, long resident of Tahiti, and I, have inspected all available hotel sites around Papeete. Situated in the most salubrious and popular district of the island, the location decided on is within easy distance of town. The erec tion of a first-class hotel with excel lent appointments, which Tahiti at present does not possess, is contemplated.

“The main building will probably be a permanent two-storey structure of 100 rooms, designed by Honolulu architects.

It will be surrounded by colourful Tahiti type bungalows, set in a landscaped tropi cal garden. Attention will be given to the amusement and recreation of guests. Be sides tennis courts and a Roman swim ming pool, yachting and deep-sea fishing will be featured.”

Mr. Pennington continued. “I am greatly impressed with the whole tourist situation here. Tahiti has all the pos

sibilities of development that Hawaii had at the commencement of its campaign for visitors. They are now awaiting develop ment.”

“We are now studying the investment situation as it will apply to the recently enacted law permitting American capital to enter Tahiti, to possess property here and withdraw holdings and profits in American dollars,” said Alexander Taran.

“We have found his Excellency Governor Anziani most co-operative with our plans. He is not only willing but anxious to assist us. Paris travel agents are already featuring the Tahiti tourist trade.

“One feature of our project will be par ticularly attractive to foreign investors.

Tahiti imposes no realty, capital or per sonal property tax. It may be said to be tax free.”

Governor Anziani has stated that he is desirous of not only one properly equipped hotel to be erected in Tahiti, but several. In order to provide ade quate transportation for tourists, Air France and Pan American are committed to the establishment and maintenance, by January of 1950, of a pool of planes at Bora Bora airstrip. The Noumea In vestment Company, of which Trapas is a subsidiary, will then devote its attention to ferrying tourists from Bora Bora to Papeete.

Indications all point to the fact that Tahiti is on the eve of a great develop ment which, in these days of accelerated means of construction and transporta tion, will be a question, not of years, but of a few months.

Christmas Island, in the Gilbert and Ellice Colony, is no longer a first port of entry for overseas vessels, but Funafuti, in the Ellice Group, has become a first port of entry.

Fifteen tons of drilling equipment and general cargo were lost when the 20-ton APC barge, Guria, capsized off Hisiu Papua, on December 6. The Guria over turned after heavy seas drowned one engine, causing her to swing beam-on to the waves. Two accompanying barges, the Gadia and Goura, rescued the oc cupants, Mr. B. Browne and three natives All three vessels were taking equipment and general cargo to Malalaua. The Guria was washed on to the beach, but has been righted now. Her cargo is on the sea bottom two or three miles off shore. It’s stated officially that the lost equipment can be replaced locally.