THE "TAHITIAN NEWS."

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7865, 16 May 1891, Page 3

THE "TAHITIAN NEWS."

By the last mail from' Tahiti the two first issues of the " Tahitian News," which is the first paper published in the settlement in the English language, has reached us. The first notice in it is headed " A Plea for Mercy," in which the proprietor apologises to his patrons for defects and shortcomings, and as the letter \V is seldom used in the French language, in which the older paper of the island has been printed, he haa been compelled to use two Vs. The next notification states, " Persons who do not intend to patronise the paper are respectfully requested to return the same." Then follows an obituary of John David, a ten-ye;ir-old son of Mr Stuart. The Editor next expands his talents under the motto "No righte duties, no duties without right* , '* Although Tahiti is the most distant colony of the civilised world, he admits it is the most backward in steam and electricity, which are unknown. Although small the community ie made up of persons who speak seven or eight different languages ; yet it is thought there was room in Papeete, the chief town, for an independent paper in the English vernacular, and a liberal support appears to have been promised by the Anglo-Saxon colonists. It is desired that correspondents would refrain from discussing religious questions, as the aim waa to be "neither Catholic, Protestant, Freeethinking, but to be entirely progressive and secular." In the aim to encourage all persons to settle in the islands, the editor adds, "If foreign settlers had been refused the right of living in the British colonies, Australia and New Zealand would never have reached that high state of progress and prosperity the colonists of these countries are enjoying now." An Auckland letter, articles on the European situation, and "Opium Smoking," warning the natives against the latter, are reprinted from other journals. The advertisements include those of merchants and shipping agents, builders, importers of fancy goods, plumber, painter, watchmaker, surgeon dentist, blacksmith, sewing machinist, cooper, photographer, " tailleuse pour dames," cafes and hotels (one of the latter intimating as an attraction that it is a resort of merchants, masters of vessels and sailors, keeps English bottled beer, and ice every day), land and house agents. In the business cards are found thoso of two solicitors, who notify that they are "English-spoken." In number two issue the editor flatters himself upon having received liberal support, and that the "News" has already done good in dispelling the belief that the French Government could prohibit the publication of an English paper in Tahiti, and "notwithstanding the intrigues of the opium party the publication of the " News" is an accomplished fact." A glimpse of the character of the Parliament U given thus : " If this colony is blessed with a Republican Governor and liberal Bench the majority of our local Parliament is composed of.' reactionaries , of the blackest dye, sad since the same majority rules also the Municipal Council, it behoves every liberal-minded colonist to support the independent and progressive paper, the " Tahitian News." How charmingly modest! At Taharnu, where there was a public inauguration of a bridge, the editor's name Laving been omitted from the list of invitations sent out, he vents his indignation and hopes his " plebeian name may be struck off the ratepayers' roll," as he fails to see why he should be bound to pay for a ham of which he has not the privilege of smelling the flavor, adding he is a Republican, and proceeds to lay unction to his soul that the offender, who should have sent the invitation, will be duly sat upon in the columns of the "News." An altogether characteristic article is wound up by calling for three cheers for the Governor and three groans for the delinquent official who overlooked the editor when selecting guests for the Taharuu bridge inauguration. An article deals with the retirement of one of the general councillors, " who had ably and sedulously vindicated the liberal principles in the local parliament, but unfortunately without success. It was ever thus." Under the heading " Police Court," the local tribunal receives a dressing down from the editor for having punished a drunken sailor, expressing the opinion that "the verdict of the Court will'not be endorsed by ' vox populi. , " Says the paper the sailor was knocked down by " one of the local aristocracy" with a boat oar, and he should have been leniently dealt •with," for he goes on to say, " every true patriot, from whatever country he hails, sympathises with Jack Tar, whether he sails under the tricolor, the stars and stripes, or the union jack; therefore, in the name of the inhabitants of Papeete, we enter our protest against the high-handed proceeedinge, 4c" Number two of the " News" contains a new advertisement from a butcher, who says " Reparations de toutes sortea. Execution decommandes. English spoken." While another enterprising individual provides " Trips round the island, horses and vehicles for hire; carpenters' and joiners* work done and ballast supplied to shipping." Judging by the advertisements the principal English firm at Tahiti is Messrs Donald and Edenborough, of Auckland, and their manager is Mr Thomas Turnbull, formerly of Timaru.