The morning call., 1893-03-24

veterans of the army who had served France
VSllantly and that they stood exclusively for
the preservation Of public order. They
are under the control of the Minister Of
war, but their duties were OF such a char
acter that they are also at the disposal of
the Minister Of the Interior as police force
ana subject to the authority of The Minister
OF Justice ms agents to secure the execution
OF judicial sentences and the enforcement
OF police regulations. They are also sub
Ject to the jurisdiction of the Minister OF
Marine and Colonies to enforce his author
lty over the marines and sailors in the colo
hies and the sea towns OF France. The
gendarmerie OF Paris was organized as
special corps.
The only occasions uron which the COM
pany of gendarmcs at Papeete parade as a
body Is when the new Governor is received
and on the celebration of the anniversary
OF the downfall of the Bastile.
Mancini Is q veteran of the FrancO-Ger-
man war-during the campaign he served
as private soldier In the Frane-tireurs.
His cOmradP. Bouche, though now man
81 years OF age, was too young to have
taken part in that war.
Speaking of the life of a Gendsrme In
Papeete Mancui said that the natives were
so law-abidng that there was but little for
the military police to do The natives were
indOlent and unambitiOus. They have q
constitutional aversion TO work of any kind.
The soil was cultivated almost exclusively
by Cinnamon. The Chinese pay $500 to
land, but they ara forbidden from carrying
on any sort of trade They must till the
soil only, Before they are allowed to land
they are examined by health inspectors.
Ii there be any disease among them they
are rejected. If they are healthy they pay
their $500 and are landed. The number of
Chinamen on the Islands does not exceed
400.
When the gendarmes left Papeete the
proposition OF building railroad along the
hn9V 1sTFN Nnr Tod
years ago the scheme was proposed, but as
1t was supposed to promote sOme political
purpose the subject was dropped. Lately
1t has been revived. The length of the pro-
posed railroad is about 200 kilometers, or
14S miles.
Manzini. who seems to be quite an OBJ
serving kind of Frenchman, said that what
most interested him in Tahiti was the
aruhclal cultivation of the pearl oyster.
about two years ago man came from
Paris who proposed to show how the thing
could be done. He inserted in young oyS-
ters piece Of mother of pearl, and a year
later took from each oyster so treated
genuine pearl. The process has created
quite an excitementSp the island, as the
experiment is considered a success.
There is an abundance of good timber in
Tahiti. but owing 10 the absence of good
roads and the lack OF saw-nills all the
dressed lumber is imported from California.
The port of Papeete is frequently visited
are permitted shore leave are Americans.
The French. German. English and Jap
aneSe men-of-waF never allow their crews
to land. When the American sailor Is
ashore the gendarmeS have their hands full.
Though most of the gendRrmes are men
past the middle age they are bachelors.
They are prohibited from marrying native
women. The Government permits few of
the colonial corps to bring their wives from
France.
The Municipal Government Of Paveete
supports band of native musicians. who
furnish very good music at regular concerts
and on state ocrasiOns.
The Europeans have very few amuse-
ments. One-eighth of the population are
Europeans and Americans but they lead a
domestic life. They have 40 theater or
public hall. The natives are very rapidly
dying out The Americans are all traders
and engaged in mechanical aud commercial
pursuits, and are among the most active
people in the community.
Besides the company Of gendarmeS the
French Government is represented by
company of infantry and a half battery of
artillery If the regular army.
Gendarme Mancini left on the overland
tram on Thursday evening for Paris.
Bouche his cOmradP, will return to Tahiti
on the Tropic Bird. Meanwhile he has mads
up his mnd that he will see what here is
10 be seen of American life in San Francisco.
lie expressed particular desire to see the
soldiers of the United States regular army
and said he would visit the Preside the
first opportunity. he thought the most re-
markable thing he had seen in San fran
cisco was the operation of the cable-cars.
His chief enjoyment is riding on them,
especially when they climb the big hills.