The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-25
TAHITI-A PARADISE IN THE
SOUTH SEAS.
The Climate is Equable, the Surround
ing Country is Broken and Beau
tiful-A Land of Fruits and
Flowers, and No Vermin.
Columbia State.

| 1t is indeed pleasure to be allow
ed the privilege Of an hours chat
with DIR. Julius d. Drehcr, former
president Of Roanoke college, now
American consul to the island Of
Tahiti, the principal one of the archi-
pelago comprising the Society islands.
DR.. Drchcr is now on a visit to the
old family home at Sclwood, Lexing-
ton county, and runs into Columbia
to see his brother, Mr.. e. S. Drehcr,
superintendent Of the city schools.
DR.. Drcher talks with animation
and in Il very interesting manner of
his consular district in the South Pa
cific, the inhabitants, mode Of living,
products and exports. This is of
more than usual interest, because Dr..
Drchcr has such wide circle Of ac-
quaintances in this and other States.
They will all bc.plcascd to know that
the climate of Tahiti agrees with DR..
Drchcr and he is in robust health. A
short time before getting his consular
appointments, DR.. Dreher was in a
train wreck. His escape was miracu-
lous, for he fell through hole in
the floor Of a car which a moment
afterwards was tclcscopcd. Aside
from the terrific shock and the sun
dry bruises which might have been en-
pected, DR.. Drcher escaped with but
one wound--a carpet tack sticking in
the top of his head. Whence came
the tack Providence only knows. DR..
Drchcr had about forgotten this de-
tail until he was reminded of it a few
days ago by some friends.
DR.. Drehcr's duties cover a wide
scope.
"The consulate at Tahiti" he
said, "was established about 70 years
ago. 1t embraces not only the Society
islands, but also the Marquesas, Tu-
amotu, Gambler, and Austral groups
Of islands 100 in all, scattered over
an area Of the south seas extending
| l 300 miles from north to south and
| 600 miles from east to west. These
islands lie south Of the equator and
| about midway between Australia and
the northern part Of South America.
The largest. and far most important.
is the island Of Tahiti. which has an
area Of about 400 square miles. Like
most of the Society islands. which
arc Of volcanic origin. Tahiti is quite
mountainous, the highest peak, Orahc-
IA. having an elevation Of more than
1000 feet. The little level land on
the island is quite fertile. Three
fourthS Of the islands are atolls of
the Tuamotu archipclago-nar-
row strips of low land Of coral for
nation covered with cocoanut trees
and enclosing la@oonS Of salt water.
often Of considerable EXTENT
Origin of These Islands.
When asked. "What is the origin
of these islands?' DR.. Drchcr re-
piled: "Thai is not an easy question
t" answer. but may say that the
atollS of the Pacific as we'll as those
of the Indian ocean have attracted
ihc attention Of many scientific in
vcStigat"rE. including Darwin, Prof.
} ID. Dana. the greatest American
@c"lo"ist and Prof. Alexander AcaS-
Slz Of liarNarl. IN his work. Coral
Reefs and Islands,. published in
1919. Prof Dana follows Darwin in
adopting the theory of the subSAcncc
Of Il former land area, but Prof
A"asSiz in his great work, THE
Coral Reefs Of the pacific.' ioul
Volumes. pnarlo Gone of text and
three of platcS), published by IIar-
ward university in 1903. controvcrt>
that theory and presents arguments
to show that the ocean bed was ele-
waited and then further built up by
coral insects. Almost all the islands
in the south seas hive outlying frin-,
ing coral reefs. generally slightly
submerged. which protect The main.
land from damage by the ocean during
storms. Many Of these islands have
no harbor at all. as the outlying reef,
cncirclc them completely"
The City of Papeete.
With reference 10 thc government
these islands. DR.. Drcicr said:
'Thcy are embraced in thr f'rcnc!
colony Of Tahiti and lis dependencies
the seat Of government bcin" at Pa
pccic. which is also lhc comnrrcin
centre Of the colony. 1t is Il town ni