Tahiti En Fete

Celebrations on June 18 and July 14

Prom Qur Own Correspondent

Papeete. July 12.

11HE annual carnival period in French Oceania, commencing with the cel©, bration of Bastille Day on July M has been introduced this year by a serie. of important functions and entertaim ments.

June 18, the tenth anniversary of thrl proclamation of Free France by Genera' de Gaulle, was celebrated with apprcn priate ceremony in Papeete, and was made the occasion of the dedication o the new Quai Bir Hacheim on the waten; front. Religious ceremonies in commerra oration of the event were also held.

From 7.30 a.m. a large crowd, includinc delegations from the principal citl schools, began to assemble in Marinn Square, in which had been erected grandstand decorated with the nationsj colours. Here Governor Anziani, attendee by Monsieur Poroi (Mayor of Papeete and Captain Herve (president of thrl Tahiti branch of the Association of Prea Prance) was surrounded by the military': religious and civil authorities of thrl Colony.

In his address (given first in French and repeated in Tahitian) Monsieur Poro' recalled the famous rallying call o General de Gaulle who declared “Prano has lost a battle, but she has not lost thi war.” He then recounted the progressiw steps of the struggle for liberty which hae crowned the success of French arms ii Africa, dwelling upon the famous victon of Bir Hacheim and the subsequent march for the delivery of Europe.

The Governor, in his address, describee the moral effect in France of the universe? response of the nation to General (b Gaulle’s appeal, and attributed to it much of the momentum which had brougbl about the successful termination of thl war.

Tahiti Governor Honours

America

IN the evening of July 4, the Govern©, and Mrs. Anziani held a special re ception and Vin d’Honneur at theie residence in celebration of American Inde; pendence Day, A representative gatherinn of local functionaries, army and navy offff cers, and foreign consuls with their wive l were present, and assisted in welcomim members of the United States colony ii Tahiti.

Entertainments

ON July 1, at the Papeete Yacht Club, was held the first annual banquei for members of the navy and mein chant marine. There was a large ana enthusiastic gathering of former ana present seamen. This is likely to be ac annual event.

Under patronage of the Governoo the Oceanic Section of the Association o Free France gave a grand ball at Patuj toa, for benefit of Social Services.

Popular Wedding

ON June 10, at the Cathedral at Papeete the marriage of Miss Muriel Maev/ 1 Goupil to Monsieur Tony Oliver wa\ solemnised before a large gathering o relatives and friends. After the ceremon;n a reception was held at the bride’s resia dence.

For the first time in Tahiti, a Fern- Wheel, resplendent with lights and colouu was put into operation on June 24 at tbl Grand Festival of the Catholic Brothers School in Papeete. The innovation wsv acclaimed a great success and, together with the Merry-go-round (both recentW.

imported from Sydney by Oscar Nord-i man) became a prime attraction at thei National Carnival and Fete in commem-i oration of Bastille Day. Singing, balleU theatricals, music and refreshments added* to the enjoyment of the evening.

Senator Lassalle-Serre’S

Report

IN presenting his annual report, on Junoi 14, before the Permanent Commis-; sion of the Representative M. Lassalle-Serre, Senator of the Frenchl Establishments of Oceania, emphasised) that the French Constitution has endowed) the populations of its various colonies: overseas with rights, privileges and re sponsibilities unknown to them before.e Territorial Assemblies have been estab lished throughout all French possessions, e members of which, elected by generaL suffrage, are in direct contact with thes people whose needs and desires they knowv well. All such assemblies have the re sponsibility of drawing up the budgets oft their various regions. It was there*fore necessary that only such memberss as those representative bodies be elected!: as are qualified to discuss all economic matters submitted to thein consideration.

Centenary Of Pierre Loti

GOVERNOR ANZIANI has requested!: the Societe d’Etudes Oceaniennes toe institute a programme of events toe celebrate this year the one-hundredth an niversary of the great writer on Frenchr Oceania, Pierre Loti.

It is hoped to hold an exhibition off documents, pictures and mementoes per taining to the life of the author of thes “Manage de Loti,” and his times. Thes Society has requested all persons through out French Oceania to assist this pro ject. Objects contributed for thise purpose will be received on loan and de posited in the Papeete museum.