Annexation of Rarotonga.

Manawatu Herald, 23 October 1900, Page 2

Annexation of Rarotonga.

The Auckland " Herald's " Rarotonga correspondent reports the arrival of the warship Mildura on Saturday, October 6. Notice was given for ail to attend at the palace grounds. On Monday morning, at a large gathering, Lord Ranfurly informed the arikis that he attended by the express command of the Queen, who had received a petition praying for annexation. He wished the arikis, chiefs and people to inform him of their desires with their own lips. Lord Ranfurly them returned to the Mildura, and the arikis and chiefs had a meeting, and unanimous y signed the Act of cession of I the Islands of Rarotonga to the ; British Grown. On the same afternoon Lord Ranfurly, attended by his aide-de-camp and the captain of the Mildura, with a guard of honour of 100 men, made his official landing. A salute was fired from the war- , ship as the vice-rega party procee^d to the foot of the flagstaff, where

\ was assembled a large gathering ol " , the arikis, chiefs and inhabitants oi ) the islands, European and native. ' Lord Ranfurly read the Royal pro- • clamfttion, declaring the Cook Islands to be an integral portion oi the British Empire. A royal salute -^an fited from the warship, and the proc. adings terminated. The Mildui a sailed the same evening for other i^ands, Colonel Gudgeon and his secretary accompanying his Excellency.