The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-03-07
Capt. Chapman Of Tahiti Once
More a Visits.
NATIVES OF HIS COUNTRY
Government OF the FrenCh-lt .
Quite Paternai = Improve
ments In TahIt.

Capt. Chapman. Of Tahiti, who Isl
visiting in Honolulu at present, Is one
Of the old pioneers OF the Pacific.
There are few islands of the South Seas
that the captain hasn't touched at with
his good snip.
when the first news OF the fabulous
wealth OF California reached New
York Capt. Chapman Joined the mad
rush for the Golden Fleece. With a
few comrades in a little sailing vessel
ne rounded the Horn and went sailing
through the Golden Gate. For few
months they ran back and forth along
winter set in and he and his comrades
set sail for the Sandwich Islands,
which they heard 50 much about.
| u tell you" said the Captain yester-
day TO an Advertiser reporter, ut did
| my heart good as we came near these
Islands and saw the green, grassy
slopes and the cool shade trees. II was
altogether different from the climate
We had just escaped.
I'VE touched at Lahaina first and
then came 70 Honolulu. There was a
great deal more grass here then than
there Is now and not SO many trees.
We landed just about where the Gus
tom house IS now.
soon after ! went to Tahiti and en-
gagged in the trading business. My, but
that's lovely island. Talk about
your PaTadises, II there is anything
nearer Paradise on this earth than Ia
h!ti Is, want TO see i.
The island is under French contro,
and | want TO say that 1t Is governed
well. \ Governor General Is sent out
from France. together with two other
officials and they have full power.
Taxes are low, and every man pays the
same. And the Government protects
the natives In every way. Why, a ma
tive can't sell his land until the Gov
eminent has had thirty days notice.
Then, II the Government doesn't think
that he is getting enough for 1t, they
won't allow him to sell. That prevents
the natives getting swindled.
The natives there are somewhat
similar 90 what they are here. But
there has not been so much intermarry-
ing and consequently the Tahitians are
more like the natives years ago than
you find here. They are very kind and
not at all resentful.
The European manner of dress Is
gradually spreading. In the towns the
natives put on their suits of clothes
, with collar and choker when there is
something going on, like church. The
next day off go the collars and coats
and the undershirt and robe of soft
stuff gathered round the lower part
of the body, appear.
, Improvements. are coming slowly
We have fine churches and schools
both OF which are fostered by the Gov.
eminent. Some years ago young
Frenchman attempted TO put in an
, electric plant, but he couldn't get
, enough power, so he failed. We gel
, mail now monthly by means of sailing
vessels. \ steamer from Auckland
/. also touches there periodically. There
was some talk OF a new steamship line
but 1t didn't amount 10 much. | hard.
, ly think II would pay.
, THE principal products OF the
, island are copra and mother of pearl
. The mother of pearl of Tahiti Is tbs
finest of the world. Great quantItie:
are shipped away annually.
+. Yes" SAID the captain in respOns,
: to a question, Il remember the "Tetau
: tua" episode. There was a native crew
! n charge Of a young Frenchman nance
Refs, who were bound for one OF thI
q Smelling depots with that vessel. Some
: how they lost their bearings and drift
La fl
brought up on Hawaii, which was th'
: first land they had sighted since leay
: ing Tahiti.
when they arrived back home the!
a all spoke in the highest terms OF tn,
. way they had been treated. They men
,, toned especially the British Consul
a who had taken charge of them. Cook
!, the man who took them back, after
: ward shipped with a German bark an
went back home.
. "Yes, ! have met a number of Ia
:, hitians here. ! never knew there wer
!, so many before. They are scattered al
. over. | have a brother-in-law o.
" Kauai.
Il Ike Honolulu very much an
lately have made trip here ever,
year Then about every five years
= take n run over to the United State
" and back 10 my old home. But Their
!, Is no place like Tahitl-the veritabl
u seaman's paradise"
II Capt. Chapman intends TO stay her
e about six weeks before going further
s His niece, who is Brooklyn youn
lady, Is travelling with him. The cap
tain Is hale, hearty fellow, a true sol
OF the briny. He says he Is getting old
j but you would never know II.