TAHITI.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3403, 12 June 1868, Page 3

TAHITI.

On the return of Queen Emma to Tahiti, on the 6th of May, the harbour is reported at having presented an imposing appeiranoe, the French Protectorate flag,, those of the American, Belgium, and English consuls and residents, and a great display of bunting aiding materially in the grandeur of the event. The whole scene was one of great rejoicing. About a week afterwards a hymene was held at which the Queen attended her subjects meeting her in batches of twelves, eaoh twelve, according to custom, dresied in costumes of different colours with wreaths of flowers on their heads, and preceded by two drummers in scarlet and wmte uniform. The Queen shook hands with all, while trumpets resounded and some 2,000 native girls sang their song of welcome, Immense preparation! were being made for the expected vuit of the Duke of Edinburgh. The dresses of the ladies— white, black, and half-caste -are described as gorgeous, each trying to outvie the other in grandeur. Popular English airs, among which were "Home, sweet home," "Rule Britannia,' and " God a»ve the Queen," were practised by the natives incessantly, in order that they might join with their European brethren in their songs of homaee to the British Sovereign and of welcome to her son— England's Sailor Prince. In the midst of all these preparations, the news arrived and spread with wonderful rapidity that the life of the Prince had been attempted, and that he would not vuit the island. Joyous forebodings at once gave place to disappointment and sorrow. On every face wag clearly depicted the effect of the sad news ; indeed, the aspect of things for aome days is described as one of intense melancholy, as if some fearful calamity had occurred. The signs of sorrow extended as far as the adoption of mourning dresses by the native and half-c»sto girls. w No intelligence had been received of the murder of Captain Hayes. Captain Cofiin, formerly in the • Neva,' shipped, as previously stated, as mate of the brig 'Rona. 1 The only information afforded by Captain Young is to the effect that Captain Hayes, when leaving Rorotonga, took his wife and child with him, and was bound for the Navigators Island.