TAHITI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 647, 15 October 1851, Page 3

TAHITI.

We have the particulars of a circumstance which recently occurred in Tahiti, which is likely to cause a great deal of excitement when it becomes known in England. It appears that the French authorities are in the habit Ox hviuttxg fetes on a Sunday, at which the natives are gradually initiated into the vices and follies which are practised on similar occasions in Paris and other French towns. One of these fetes was proclaimed for Sunday, the 4th of May last, in honour of what is facetiously called the adoption of the constitution.” On the previous Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Howie, of the London Mission,

preached on the duty of keeping the Sabbath day holy, and warned his congregation against taking part in the approaching festivities. It was reported that Mr. Howe bad spoken against the Government, and an apology was demanded ; this was declined, on the ground that nothing had been said that the Government could construe into an insult to itself; the sermon was an exhortation to keep one of the commandments, and a charge to his congregation not to visit places where vices and follies were practised. Notwithstanding this disclaimer, the Government held that Mr. Howe had “ spoken against the ruling power,” which it seems is punishable by the laws of the French republic, with imprisonment to the extent of two years, but instead of proceeding against him under the law, when he would have had an opportunity of defending himself, the Governor ordered Mr. Howe to quit the island in a month, and at our latest dates he was preparing to proceed to Europe. By the next arrivals, we shall hear further particulars of this most extraordinary case, which, with English ideas of such matters, appears almost incredible. At the very time when people of ail creeds and all nations were assembling in England in thousands ; when priests and ministers of all religions were preaching in London in all the tongues of the civilised world, a humble Protestant missionaiy is banished from Tahiti by the French authorities for warning his flock against breaking the fourth commandment. Arbitrary and despotic as republics generally are, we can hardly think it possible that the French authorities will uphold the conduct of their deputy.—S'. 3f. Herald.