French Polynesia

To Be Site Of World Spearfishing Championship

Leading spearfishermen from

most of the 38 countries affiliated with the International Federation of Underwater Sports are expected to go to French

Polynesia in September for

the 1965 World Spearfishing

Championship.

THE exact site of the championship had not been decided on at the end of February, but it is expected to be either in the Tuamotu Archi pelago or at one of the Leeward Islands of the Society Group (i.e.

Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Tupai or Mopelia).

Tupai seems to have the best chance of being chosen, as it is re nowned for its fishing and is only eight miles from Bora Bora, which already has enough hotel accommo dation to cater for at least some of the 60 or so contestants and 40 officials expected.

Earlier, it was announced that the championship would be held in New Caledonia (PIM, Jan., p. 124).

The French Government will pro vide 2,700,000 Pacific francs (about £A 13,500) towards the organisation of the championship, and the local government will provide the equiva lent of £4,000.

The influx of contestants and officials for the championship will be welcomed by everyone connected with Tahiti’s tourist industry, as the visitors will undoubtedly stay a few days on that island either before or after the championship, and possibly both.

Meanwhile, Tahiti’s tourist industry

THE TAHITI SCENE: After going through a period in the doldrums last year follow ing the cancellation of TEAL's (now Air New Zealand) and Qantas' landing rights, Tahiti's tourist industry in perking up again and more and more people are becoming familiar with (top) the rapidly-expanding town of Papeete; (centre) the town's casual, open-air, Parisian-style cafes; and (below) the new terminal building at Faaa Airport, where two large murals of Tahitian subjects are an attractive feature.

Photos: Top. by courtesy of Qantas; lower two, Rob Wright.

appears to be prospering again, following the 12-month period in the doldrums that succeeded the cancella tion of Air New Zealand’s and Qantas’ landing rights on the island ( PIM, Aug., 1964, p. 5).

When French Polynesia’s new Governor, Mr. Jean Sicurani, made his first tour of the island’s hotels recently, he found that most hoteliers were either making or planning ex tensions.

At the Hotel Moana Nui, run by Mr. Ripley Gooding, the building of a jetty, miniature golf course and white sand beach were under way.

At the Bel Air, which now has 20 rooms accommodating 46 people, two buildings were going up on the seafront to house Qantas personnel.

At the Hotel Tahiti, Mr. Sicurani was told that the accommodation would be increased from 82 to 106 rooms by the end of the year, and that an annexe to the hotel would later be built on the other side of the road.

At the Hotel Taaone, which was burned down in 1963, but which has since been rebuilt to the extent of 42 rooms and 36 bungalows, the management spoke of plans to in crease the accommodation to 170 rooms. Meanwhile, work on a swim ming pool, sports facilities and a big restaurant is expected to be com pleted about mid-April.

At Mr. Sicurani’s last “port” of call, the Hotel Royal Tahitien, the manageress, Mrs. Winkelstrotter, out lined plans to put up two new build ings containing 20 rooms each. Work on these buildings is to begin in April.