THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1926, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

VISIT TO lIAIUTONGA. [by TELEORABH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. [ AUCKLAND, Alay 26. At Kara tonga on Alav 10, four days celebrations in connection with the visit to Rarotonga of the GovernorGeneral were carried out most successfully. The official portion of the pro.ceedsing was concluded on Alay 4. The subsequent days were devoted to special ceremonies and celebrations of the natives who had been preparing for the visit for the previous two months. Those preparations had left oil the minds of the Europeans an impression ol tlie vigour and whole heartedness with, which the Alaoris lay themselves out to demonstrate their allegiance to and affection for the Empire. ■On Thursday a visit was paid to Takitumu, the historic location of *he settlement of the hold Tangua and secret of activities of the notorious Kurunaki, otherwise the “Trapping Good Enough,” who was probably the European discoverer of Arratona. The natives had spared neither expense nor effort to make a brave show of the occasion. Their dancing which was largely mythological in character proved of great interest and brought forth very favourable comment from, the onlookers .

Visits to Ararangi brought the visit cf the Governor-General to Raratonga to a regretful close. Every moment Was fully occupied with engagements which seemed to but add to the wonderful charm of the ‘WJreat White Ariki.” He entered into the hearts of the people and took complete possession, as it were.'- Nothing seemed too characteristic of his deep interest in small Jor His Excellency to notice. His visits to all the Government schools las well as to the Convent school were characteristic of his deep interest in even the humblest of the Empire’s people.