THE GOVERNOR'S ISLAND TOUR.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 July 1919, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S ISLAND TOUR.

SPLENDID FESTIVITIES.

WELLINGTON, this day.

The following official message was received from athe Tutanekai, datted Wednesday, 16th July:-—The GovernorGeneral completed his island tour and the Tutanekai is now homeward-bound, via the Kermadecs. The visit to Niue surprised and -glad-dencd‘ the local ‘r"ésidents, whose food supplies"were unreplenished since November. The schooner Tcneritfe anchored two days previously and brought. up supplies. The Niueans, however, are in good health. On arriva.l at Vavau t.he Tutanekai berthca the first time during the whole mlonth she has been at sea. The day being Sunday, there were no public functions. In the aftefrioon a harbour t.rip took place :to the caves ofl beauty. The vastness of Vavau harbour excited the adniirution of all. On arrival at Page Page, salut-'es'and oflicial calls were exchanged. Their Excellencies and the Hon. Pomare were afterwards guests for two days of Governor Terhune. Others were billcted by the various American naval officers. At noon there was a salute of seventeen guns simultaneously by the Tutanekai, shore battery, and the gunboat Fortune, to celebrate peace. The entertainment included a baseball match, tennis, and a. party reception and ball at Government House. The cordiality lof the welcome and hos.pitality was most ‘nrarked. The oflicial landing at Apia was most spectacular. A dtc--zen native boats, fifty feet long, some manned by thirty .oarsm'en, garlanded from end to end with ropes of greenery and flowers, escorted His Excellency t 6 the shore, to the accompaniment of a royal salute from the T'u—

nokai. The Administrator welcomed gheir Excellencies’ float on landing, ‘éincl the local garrison mounted a guard of honour at-the _.oific_ia.l. reception at crmrthouse. Their _EX“cell€,li_C_i.eS ,a’n-gl Dr. Pom.a_re were ;the gue>sts.‘of.i:qhe; Aid-bi ministrator. At‘ V_.ailil_né.‘ there vvere ‘motor drives eastward and-‘w’ostw{a._r(ls.; visits -to ..large,. plantations, 1 including. one at Mulifanu_a,.~-»steted;;to _t,h_eN ‘best . and .-la.rgo.st_._in ;the,..wo.l'ld:, Several. rth‘ousand-- =a.tt.endc,d 2'B. .«na.'ti;-ve. feast,‘ lrgrv-a. drinking, and dé3ic_es- , It. was . regarded . as the ‘greatest event since the British occupation. The ball _a.t_‘Vailima, «wasfa. brilliant affair. ;Havii,was—visited, and "there" was furtheluwolldel_'ful_ dancing, some surpassing theprevious,-best. of the tour. , On Sundla.y ‘alt Apia, there was da ehurch parade, and Er _ Peace thanksgiving service in the English and Samloan Churches, and the investiture with the D.S.O. of Captain Beck. On the voyage to Fiji 3‘ heavy heani sea was experienced. Th-e entertainment at Peavaua included the preparation and presentation of a kava dinner by the Ovalu Club._ At ‘Suva: Their Excellencies were the guests of the Governor of Fiji; on Friday a. mayoral reception pat the ‘Grand 'Pacific_Hotel'; on Satiirday :2, géirden party at Government House; on Monday mi oflicial dinner on the Tutanekai. Allfon board are in excellent health and anxiousto return to the Dominion. V ' i ‘ "