TAHITI.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 463, 21 September 1850, Page 3

TAHITI.

The following communications addreised by the re. cently appointed Commissioner of the French Republic at Tahiti (who is also Commander of the French Naval Fotces in the Pacific) to the French Cousul at Sydney, has been published in the Herald : Tahiti. 30th March 1850. Monsieur le Consul, — having beer, lately appointed by the Government of the French Republic as its Commissioner at the Society Islands and Commander-in-chief of the forces in Oceanic, I have the honour to lay before you a brief statement which I am authorised toadoptfor theeffectual protection of trjde in these seas. As the colony in which you reside possesses a great and every increasing 1 interest in the important events now occurring in the Pacific, the intentions of our Government) under actual circumstances, must be of consiJerable consequence to commercial men; and I have therefore to beg, that you will make known to the merchants of Sydney, as well foreigners as Frenchmen, the purport of this present despatch. In the first pi ice I am particularly anxious to have it published that, actuated by the most liberal feelings, I shall at ail times be ready to place the assistances and resources of this local Government at the disposal of any vessels that may go in need of them w thout, reference to flag. And I may add, that from this time forward individuals will find at Tahiti all the security that can be desired in civil and commercial matters, from the institutions of a Tribunal of Commerce and of Trial by Jury. Vessels calling at Papeete will only have to pay pilot dues. 1 heir cargoes may be landed free of all duli-s, and the few special articles of which the entry is prohibited will always be allowed to be placed in Depot. The former general prohibition of spirits w as based on feelings of humanity towards the natives. But this prohibition has now been entirely removed as far a*> Europeans are concerned, and has been pailially relaxed wth respect to the natives, who are now permitted to, use wines that have not been biaindied. ! With respect to the hatbour, 1 may state the following facts, viz. : — 1. Buoys and port moorinzs are established, so as to enable vesiels, to clear the harbour with any wind. 2. There are two most convenient watering places. 3. There are accumulations of stones and coral so to close to the warehouse as to make the obtaining of ballast easy. 4. An apparatus for heaving down will be established on a convenient spot as soon as possible, and ulao a patent slip capable of receiving vessels of 40 > tons. 5. There will be sheds piepared on shore for the use of crew 3 and the storing of rigging, &c. 6. Fin illy, I may mention that the Minister of Marine Ims doubled on board of ships under my command the usiml number of ship carpenters, in order that mer» chant vessels may not be detained by the possible insufficieucy of their own unaided industry. A naval hospital, to which sailors of all nations are admitted, is alrculy established ; and medicints are there administered under the superintendence of professional men. The salubrity of the clima'e. the fertility of the soil, and the security of the harbour, are additional reasons for vessels calling at Tahiti, where the Government will adopt every measure in Us power to repress among their crew* those two great sources of mercuntile loss, debauchery and desertion, which are so prevalent on the American coast. I shall conclude by mentioning that our Government being desirous to improve the cultivation of the land in Tahiti has sent out with me on board the Thisbe, a botan'st of great experieneejfrom the Jardin dcs Platits, M. Perchu who is entrusted with the superintendence of agriculture in those islands. To the Consul-General of the French Republic at Sydney.