A Christmas Of Frustration On Akaiami

FIFTEEN people who were looking forward to Christmas in Tahiti found themselves spend b on Akaiami islet, Aitutaki lagoon, n the TEAL Coral Route.

The Solent flight commenced at mckland on December 23 and went ccording to the book until after ake-off from Akaiami for Papeete n Christmas Eve. After some time i the air the weather closed in at 'apeete, so the flying-boat put bout and Mrs. Jones (relieving Irs. McVeagh) and her staff at kaiami welcomed them ashore gain for Christmas night.

Included in the passenger list ere Don Beachcomber, Honolulu jstaurateur; 78-year-old Miss I. dble, American lecturer on a mnd-the-world flight; Earl King, vimming instructor and spear in exponent from Hawaii; and merican artist Bennett Buck.

Christmas morning found the air aft in the air again and heading istward—but soon to return with igine trouble. Mrs. Jones was not :pecting to provide Christmas nner; however, the people of itutaki found a pig and 12 fowls id Earl King, completely in his ement, dived a few times from ie float of the Solent to bring ick a generous supply of fresh ;h for the table.

Up and away again in the next dawn and on Boxing Day Tahiti seemed “in the bag”—until another and extraordinary message arrived from the French capital; heavy rains in the mountains had brought a flood of logs down the streams and into the lagoon landing area, mak ing landing unsafe for the flying boat. Again back to Akaiami!

This time Mrs. Jones was past surprise but an Australian pas senger was inspired to write a play, marking the occasion, and performed that night by two Americans, an Australian, a Frenchman and a New Zealander.

Next morning the big aircraft took off again—and got there!

Though not sorry to arrive at their destination most of the passengers voted the Akaiami sojourn an en

joyable adventure.