“GEM OF THE PACIFIC”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 June 1936, Page 12

“GEM OF THE PACIFIC”

A PARADISE ON EARTH IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR “Tahiti is one of the paradises on earth —has got to be seen to be appreciated: words fail to express its wonders. It is a land much maligned by those who look for the evil which is there, and which unfortunately has been largely implanted by whites. But for those who look for beauty, it is doubtful if it can be excelled elsewhere on earth,” (said Mr E. Cholerton, who has just retuned from a seven weeks’ trip to the “Gem of the Pacific”). “The natives themselves are joyous, clean and courteous, and inherently straight in their dealings with the whites. The French population have to be seen and mixed amongst, (not an easy thing to do) to be appreciated, but once in their company, well the French family system, their courtesy and refinement is a lesson to other nations, and I consider we could take lessons from them. The English and American section of the community are noted for their wonderful hospitality and unfailing kindness. The Chinese population, which is largely in Papeete, are paving their way to success through hard work and long hours, most of them having a high name for integrity in business; in fact they are becoming an increasing factor in business in Tahiti and the surrounding islands. The threequarter, half and quarter castes, of which there are a number, have many beautiful womenfolk among them. “Of course, like all other parts of the world, ‘one sees what one looks for’; the good (and plenty of it) is there for those who want it, as well as the evil for those in quest of it—in fact, if wanted, in certain parts it can be ‘hell with the lid off.’ “The famous trip round the island and isthmus, is about a hundred odd miles, takes a full day, and is full of scenic sights: the monument of Captain Cook; the camps of Robert Louis Stevenson and Zane Grey; the fruit and sugar plantations and refinery; the main grotto; Professor Smith’s gardens; Guild’s wonderful home and aviary probably being the main ‘show’ places, but the whole trip is one riot of beauty, with the sea beaches on one side, and beautiful mountain scenery made up of Hibiscus, Frangipani and Taeri Tiki, coconut palms, orange, banana, limes and scores of other types of trees and palms, as well as young vanilla plantations. “Living is' cheap there, as there is such a variety of fruits, at prices which are surprising to New Zealanders. Oranges at present (not yet in season therefore highly priced) are two and a half francs (lOd) for a string of 24-30. Bananas are about the same. By the way, there are about 24 different kinds of them there, some sweet, some otherwise, as well as the wild banana known as the plantain, which is a brownish red colour and about twice as fat in diameter as the cultivated .type, but . not so nice to our Western palates. Mangoes, bread-fruit, paw-paw, limes and coconuts are also plentiful, the lirpes making a most delicious drink, and in my opinion, far better than lemons. Limes are about 30 for one or two francs (4d to 8d) including the basket. “One sees a fair number of cows, mostly Holsteins, on the island, together with large numbers of semiwild fowls. “Large passengers and goods .buses make daily trips completely round the island. “The market in Papeete, where most of the shopping for eatables is made, is open about 5 a.m. and is emptied about 9 a.m. every day, and gives quite an Eastern aspect to the island, especially as it is next to the Chinese section of the town, and despite all statements to the contrary, is kept exceedingly clean. “The native culinary dishes —well some of them take a while to get accustomed to, but a few of them are delightful from the first mouthful. “The island itself is flat all round the sea-shore, getting higher as one goes towards the middle, culminating in fairly high mountains, and is well watered by many streams. “A reef circles it with many openings, most of which are in front of the streams, the fresh water of them killing the coral of the reef, thus making the openings. The sea at most of the beaches is wonderfully clear, and at greater depths, of a wonderful blue colour. Dark glasses are not often needed there, as Nature has supplied such an abundance of restful greenery in the trees and grasses, etc.”