FRANCO-TAHITIAN TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 7

FRANCO-TAHITIAN TROOPS

FOE. NOUMEA. By'tho Maitai, which arrived from San Francisco, via Papeete yesterday, a. contingent of 115 Franco-Tahitian troops arrived m Wellington on their way to Noumea (New Caledonia), where it is anticipated that they will do garrison duty and undergo military training. iho troops, who are under tho „ command of Surgeon Danjas, will remain on the Maitai for the'present, and will .proceed on to Sydney en route w Noumea by the Manuka on Thursday. Some of the members of tho contingent—Frenchmen, full-blooded or half-bred Tahitians—were amongst these who came down to Wellington over six months ago, intending to go »n to Europe to fight for Franco, but Were returned to Papeete. Most of the nien have been in training at Papeeto tor three or four months, and the t y understand that after another three ttionths' training at Mit:y nro to be sent to Franco to play their part in the big war. They are men of medium height und build, with sallow complexions, and smooth features, a good deal lighter in complexion than either tho or Fi.jians. Most of theni wore mufti, when they came ashore yesterday, but a few wore uniforms of

cotton klinki with white pith helmets. The ages of tho men ranga between 18 and 34 years. They are to bo accorded a reception by tho Mayor at tho welcome to bo given to tho Willochra's wounded to-morrow morning. On Wednesday special tram cars aro being placed at their disposal to givfi them the opportunity of seeing Wellington and its immediate surroundings,