Rowing to Freedom

Easter Is. To Tahiti

lONG, precarious voyages in rowing boats are becoming a habit of Easter Islanders.

At the end of November, five Easter Islanders arrived in Atiu, Cook Group, after a 54-days voyage from Easter Island in an open boat.

They said that they had been with out food for 24 days during the 2,500 miles journey.

The men, whose names are given as Gabriel Tuki Veri Very, Ambrosia Riroroko Tuki, Valentine Riroroko Tuki, Israel Riroroko Tuki, and Orlando Paoa Paoa, said that they were aiming at Tahiti, where they had relatives.

In December, 1954, three Easter Islanders arrived in Tahiti after making most of the voyage in a 22ft rowing boat; they had been 29 days on the way from Easter to the Tuamotus from which point they voyaged to Papeete on a Gov ernment ship.

They said on arrival that they were seeking liberation from the yoke of Chilean rule of their island.

They were whisked off to hospital for a medical check-up and were somewhat embarrassed to find them selves occupying the same ward as the newly-arrived Chilean consul in Tahiti.

However, the French Oceania government presumably gave them

political asylum—it seems likely the 1955 adventurers were see these pioneers.

Mr. J. L. Bergelin, Administrj' Officer, BSIP, travelled in October Tulagi to Sydney, on 1»J