Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-10-07
ISLAND OF TAHITI
DR.. EDWORDS DESCRIBES ARRIVAL AT
BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
Mariposa Day Event Of the Month at Pape.
tee. When Steamer Lands at the
South Sea Island.

Papetee, Tahiti, Sept. 27: There is
something theatrical in the way a
steamer approaches port. and never
has the theatrical effect had such gor-
geous setting as had cur arrival at
Tahiti. We reached sighting distance
of the island long before daybreak,
but it would never do to run in while
it was yet dark, so the great steamer
moved slowly through what seemed to
be sea OF liquid silver toward the
looming blackness which we knew to
be the goal of our desires. The twink
ling light OF Point Venus gave the
captain his bearings. and as we
steamed slowly along, the rosy ap-
pearance of the eastern sky warned US
of approaching dawn. Daylight comes
quickly in the tropics, and suddenly
there burst into full view the island
we had come so far to see. 1t was
wondrous sight. indeed, and we felt
we'll repaid for travelling three thous-
and, six hundred miles across the
water. even if we saw nothing more
than this wonderful approach to the
island.
AS the light grew stronger. all the
beautiful outline of the island came
into prominence, and then beautiful
Moorea. standing guard off the west.
showed it's Jagged peaks and crest
against the moonlit western sky. The
two islands seemed fitting companions
in this mystic sea. both appearing to
be development from some ancient
continent. There is legend that
says that once the great continent of
Pan stood where is now but the scat
tered groups of the islands OF this
and one can we'll believe
that this legend is based on fact. for
this land seems old, and wears an air
Of mysticism that reminds one of an
cient Egypt or of the inferior of
Yucatan. There was something un-
canny IN our approach in the early
dawn. The steamer moved along with
no sound from her engines and the
shore gradually grew palmer until the
waving palms and cocoanut trees
could be distinguished. and then q
few houses showed among the green.
Marlposa day is the event Of the
month at Papetee, for the steamer
makes it's periodical visits at such in
and it is only on such periods
that the people come IN touch with
outer world civilization. One other
steamer comes occasionally. but it
comes from New Zealand. and carries
little Of Importance to the islanders.
so it is that when the Mariposa arrives
that every one is out in gala attire,
ready for the only excitement that
comes into their lives. Everybody
seemed to be at the wharf to greet usss-
and as the pilot came aboard to take
us safely through the reef, and we
swung around to enter into the mar
row channel which carries the vessel
into the barbOr, we could see streams
Of white dressed people focking down
every street. and along the citv's front
to the mOoring place, and before the
steamer Law lOngside the wharf the
place Was covered with flower be-
decked people waiting to give us
hearty welcome 1t was brilliant
assemblage so far as color was con-
cerned, and the white clothing con-
trasted beautifully against the green
of the ever living foliage of all the
strange trees and plants OF the island.
while interspersed among the town
people were dozens of natives, fresh
from the interior of the island.
dressed much rs nature dressed them
with the exception of bright hued i0in
cloths, or parus, as they are called.
These cloths are of the gaudiest COL
ored calicoes produced from the looms
of Frame. and one is disposed to won
der why all those who live in Tahiti
do not discard the conventional whiteI
clothing and assume that of the ma
tives which is not only more picture-
sQue, but is also more comfortable. Il
was told that majority of the dwell
ers of the island do take to this nativ0
dress as soon as the ship leaves. bu
while the visitors are there they thin
it best to assume the garb of civilizj
tiOn. V
Before, tho vessel was warped to tl,A
wharf we could see and hear evidences
of the approaching celebration. Every
body was. lily dressed, and In the
could be heard the sound Of
the native drum and the tin can. The
latter is one of the favorite musical
instruments of the Tahitians. and it
has for it's second the discarded tin
pan. Tahitians have no musical In
struments so they make use Of any
thing that will produce q semblanoo
of harmony. and 1t must be confessed
that with the tin can, q tin pan and :
piece Of wood. combined with their