TOUR OF ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1933, Page 3

TOUR OF ISLANDS

LIFE AT RAROTONGA.

LORD BLEDISLOE’S VISIT.

RECEPTION- GIVEN BY CHIEFS

(By United Press Association’s Special

Representative;

The Djomcdo, with the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady

Bledisloe on board, arrived fit Rarotonga, the capital o the-Cook Islands, on the .morning of April 27. It is said, with some justice, that Rarotonga ;s one of tlic most beautiful islands in the South-eastern Pacific.

Their Excellencies were received by the-Resident Commissioner, Mr IT. F. Ayson, Mrs Ayson, public officials ana the people of Rarotonga. A guard of honour was furnished by returned soldiers, European and native, . e-.ikl the points of vantage were occupied by children, who gave lusty voice to the National Ant-hem. It was only a few step? to the courthouse, where the official reception took place. An openair ceremony was in order, and it was marked by every indication that the visit was an event of great interest ‘and pleasure to the ,whole community. The native chiefs were present, and their spokesman, Potikitaua, addressed a

special welcome to the visitors on behalf of the Cook Jalsnds people.

Welcome by Commissioner.

Mr Ayson sa.gl hctj-Jjad.. the. ..greatest pleasure in - welcome in Tlieir Exeollenci.qs on ..behalf of all the inhabitants of -the: Cook Group. Only fixe Governors had previously . visited Rarotonga, the first being the Earl of Glasgow iii 181.14. Other Governors -who had visited the’ group were Lord Raniurly, Lord Plunket, Lord Liverpool, and Sir Charles Fergusson. His Excellency could he fully assured of the intense and unswerving ..loyalty of all tho inhabitants to the British-.. Grown.

His Excellency, ' responding to the speeches of welcome, said that he had been asked to deliver the- following message from His Majesty the King:— “I am glad to he able to take the opportunity afforded by the' visit of the Governor-General of New 1 Zee lard

• to send to "iny people- of-the Cb'ok Islands my best wishes for their ; c-.rfn- • tinned prosperity. I desi -e to' assure •them of'my'earnest csiro for their' wellbeing and -happiness.” ’ ' ’ ‘ Rarotonga used to lie referred to as “Queen Victoria’s youngest child,”' a ml ,-these- Islands had a]wavs been un-.sw-'-vimdy 'loyal to the .British . Crown and cordial in tlieir attachment to tho • •British -Empire.. In these Islands ,» hounti ul Providence p-nvided continuously for the simple needs of the native people. . A:s lii.h 4ot-Iv*"V.^J’tPs.. of,...tjUe.c w-i-T(], main - woi’o suffering, temnor-'i-y difficulties in consequence of .-fho-lov;. prices of tlieir isb>;:d : produce. ; FA urged them .to maintain during this per-c

iofl of economic- stress - the quality of tlieir exported fruit and other products. Ho wanted them to realise that New Zealand''always took the deepest'interest in tlieir welfare, and the Government assisted by the Minister lor the group, gir Apirana Ngata. was anxious and ready to help in any way that might prove advantageous. Good education for the children and good .sanitation were of the utmost importance, and in these matters he invited the friendly co-operation and sympathy of the inhabitants.

Presents from Islanders.

The combined Maori reception and feast at “Taputapuatca,” the residence of Makea Nui, the leading chief of the island, was probably the most, remarkable and interesting social event 1 of the tour. The chiefs had combined to give this entertainment, not without some slight hesitation,, hut having joined forces they did pohly. The decorations of the feasting pavilion we*-e rothing short o" magnificent: the feast itself was positively Lucullan; the numerous presents from the Ts'ands, and the messages which accompanied them, must have touched and pleased Tlieir Excellencies very greatly. A choir of hoys and aids, . tinder Miss Tiniran, the daughter pf Makea Nui. clisr-pp'-s-'d sweet songs' from ail inexhaustible well of music. The characteristic dances, in which the “hula” predominates, were'given with a wealth of costuming and rolouriipr and a terrific bomnipn- o ' drums. 'ln short, it was a day of days.