FRANCE IN THE PACIFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1902, Page 6

FRANCE IN THE PACIFIC.

ANNEXATION OF AN ISLAND.

News from the Eastern Pacific by the s. a. Ova'lau to-day reports the recent annexation of Rimatara, one of the Tubuai Archipelago, a volcanic group lying southward of the Society Islands. Rurutu, one of the principal islands in. the group, was annexed some time ago by the French authorities. For some time the French have exercised a protectorate over ■the island of Rimatara and its dependencies, but they have now been formally annexed by M. JEdouard Petit, the Governor of Tahiti. A number of men were landed from the ship Durance, under the command of M. Gendre, the second lieutenant, and were placed near a mast flying at its head the ilag of the protectorate. When the Governor approached a touching incident occurred. The three sons of the Queen of Rimatara—Norii, Tairiata, and Tamatoa—the three chief men of the island—followed by all the crowd assembled at Amaru, presented themselves before .the Governor and their mother, Te Maeva' V., offering them submission of the population, and solemnly renewed the request for the annexation of I their country to France, made June 6th, 1901. The Governor, after having addressed the native population, announced that, by desire of the Government of the place, and by virtue of the powers confided to him, he took possession of the island of Rimatara and its dependencies, the islets Maria, in the. name of France. He then commanded that the protectorate flag be taken down, and the French s flag hoisted in its place, which was immediately done, amid shouts by the crowd of "Long live the French Republic!" The ship's company then presented arms, whilst the bugle pealed a salute to the flag. At the same time the Durance honoured the French colours i% firing 21 guns; and the ship's company saluted with'three volleys of musketry.

Rimatara is a small island about three miles across and about 300 feet high in ■the centre. The natives export • cotton.' The island, like all the others in the group, is very productive.

Ruturu is about 13 miles in circuit, and 1300 feet high, and the island of Tubuai is five miles long- and is mountainous.