Tahiti News

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Nov. 10

Opium Haul In Papeete

Papeete’s new Chief of Police, M. ■ank Biesel, with the aid of two ecoys”—gendarmes in feminine tire—made a clever arrest just ior to the departure of the Chung ig for Sydney on October 23, when it men —two members of the crew, local resident, and a gendarmer ie detained on charges of opium higgling.

Though Coconut Radio has it at the accused gendarme was ramed,” he will go to France for al.

M. Biesel, fresh from 14 years’ rvice in China, arrived in October relieve retiring Police Chief M. an Pascault.

Ell-Known People Depart

Passengers departing per Chang ow on November 3 included re ing police chief Jean Pascault r ho leaves many friends after 5 ars’ service in Papeete), M. Jean eaud (Paris banker and business an and owner of Atimaono Plan tion), Miss Anatila Nordman aughter of a well-known resident, und for New York and Paris), M. colas Tuhiva (Tuamotu planter), & Mme. Negre, Doctor Florisson, Renault (of automobile fame), , Roger Simonet (well-known cafe oprietor), Messrs. Rusden & tker (former owners of the NZ looner, New Golden Hind) and my others.

Benecia Salvaged

The well-known Benecia, pur ased from the underwriters by . Herve as she lay on a Tuamotu sf, following her stranding on ly 19, 1950, has been hauled across e reef to the sheltered inner foon and brought to Papeete, at cost of six months’ hard labour d some two million francs.

Built in Tahiti by Mr. Charles ’own Petersen for his own use 20 ars ago, the schooner, now in dry ck, will soon re-enter service.

Jew Golden Hind Mishap

On her initial voyage to the Tua -stus for Messrs. Adram, Gobrait id Chinese interests (who had just irchased the ketch from Messrs, isden & Baker, of NZ) New Dlden Hind went aground at 8 a on September 28. Luckily, the lather was calm and the vessel is hauled clear two hours later.

Dry docked on return to Papeete, i damage was discovered and she iled again on November 6.

Luxury Schooner-Yacht

Purchased

The Chin Poo interests of Papeete ive acquired the American luxury

schooner Seaward from Mr. Charles Williams for conversion to cargo carrying in the Tuamotu trade.

The schooner—of typical Grand Banks type—has been in Papeete since June, 1949. Mr. Williams has returned to the States. Hart’s shipyard is handling the extensive conversion-work.

Wedding: Juventin-Grolez

On October 27, Mademoiselle Doris Juventin, daughter of the director of the Government Print ing Department, was married to Monsieur Jean Grolez, of Lille.

Shell Oil For Tahiti

The Cerion, arriving on November 10, inaugurated the landing of the first barrels of Shell oil in Tahiti.

The company’s agent in French Oceania is Mr. Baldwin Bambridge, of Papeete. (next page)

Election Of Deputy

On September 2, M. Pouvanaa a Oopa was re-elected as Deputy for French Oceania to the National Assembly, Paris, by a considerable majority. Of the 22,957 electors, 17,318 registered votes, 90 of which were informal. Results:— Pouvanaa a Oopa .. 12,096 Emile Vernaudon 2,171 Henri Hoppenstedt . 1,584 Francis Sanford .. 986 Alexis Bernast .. .. 391

Tahiti And Australia

A group of Tahiti business men have joined forces with the inten tion of aiding in every possible way the stimulation of closer trade re lations between Tahiti and Aus tralia. The group includes M. Jean Breaud (a Parisian banker), M.

Jean Bres (formerly of the Poly technic School of Engineering in Paris), M. Brenot (former officer of the French Navy), M. Valence (en gineer of the Public Works Dept.)

and M. de Crignis (Director Public Works). Their represen tive in Sydney is M. Pelletier, ? sident of the French Chamber Commerce in Sydney, whose of is at 16 Bridge Street.

Orofara Thanks New

Zealand

It is not generally known that Lepers Trust Board of NZ- wh makes substantial contributi towards the welfare of the patie at Makogai, Fiji, also assists in upkeep of the French leper hosp: in Tahiti.

NZ this year donated 633,( francs to the Orofara settleme: reports M. Albert Leboucher, we known political figure of Tah: who is in charge of the funds a donations of the Lepers’ Trust Boa of NZ.

In this group, taken in front of the Tal Lepers’ Hospital, appear (left to righ M. Tony Bambridge, M. Milland. and Albert Leboucher.