Shocking Crime

Arthur Brander

Murdered

In Tahiti

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, July 20.

ONE of Tahiti’s best known and most highly respected citizens, Mr. Arthur Brander, 87, was murdered on July 2, by Tahitian thieves.

Two young Tahitians, intent on theft, crept into his home at Hamuta, near Papeete. The old man challenged them, and was savagely attacked. He died in the Colonial Hospital, a few hours later, from knife wounds.

Prompt action by M. Pascault, chief of detectives, effected arrest of the mis creants. They were identified by a

neighbour at whose house they had called on their way to the crime, and where they borrowed a kitchen knife Knowing that their intended victim would be in possession of a sum of money that day, they broke into his home.

Arthur brander, one of four brothers (John, Norman and Win nie were the other three), was born in Papeete in 1863. He was of British nationality through his father (who was born in Elgin, Scotland, in 1817) and his mother was Tetuanuireiaito Salmon, sis ter of Queen Marautaaroa. He, therefore, was a nephew of Pomare V, last king of Tahiti.

At eight years of age, Arthur was sent in his father’s sailing ship around the Horn, with two brothers, to England. He remained in Great Britain for 15 years, and was educated at St. Andrew’s Uni versity, in Scotland. After that he travelled extensively in Europe, North and South America, and elsewhere. At one time he resided on Easter Island —his father owned large interests in the Easter Island sheep ranch. Later, he became secretary to Mr. Arundel, one of the pioneers of the phosphate industry on Makatea, During the visit of the Duke of Edin burgh to Tahiti, many years ago, the Brander family entertained that dis tinguished Prince on so lavish a scale

that, in 1897, the Duke invited Arthur Brander to be present with him at the celebrations in London in commemora tion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

In 1915, Mr. Brander visited Honolulu in the Valkyrie, and 'afterwards pro ceeded in the same vessel to Vladivostock, and journeyed thence overland to St.

Petersburg, then in a state of revolution.

He lived in Japan some years, and be came so enamoured of that country that he resolved to spend his life there. But a longing for his native land finally took him back to Tahiti.

In Papeete, Mr. Brander established himself as a commission agent and ex porter; and, in connection with that busi ness, interests in San Francisco induced him to become an American citizen.

During the last few years, although still active and enjoying good health, he gradually withdrew from affairs, and re tired to the seclusion of his home in Hamuta. Here, in the environs of Pa peete, visited by his many friends, he enjoyed, with his memories, the tran quillity and happiness that come to one who can survey in retrospect the event ful and pleasing vista of nearly ninety years. It was a cruel end to a happy and useful life.

Of Arthur Brander it may be said, in Chaucer’s words: “In all his lyf, he was a varry parfit gentil knight.”

Mr. Arthur Brander.