AORANGI ARRIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 282, 28 November 1932, Page 5

AORANGI ARRIVES.

UNEVENTFUL PASSAGE. TONGAN CHOIR ON TOUR. An uneventful trip from Vancouver, via Honolulu and Suva, was experienced by the Union Co.'s Royal mail motor liner Aorangi, which arrived at Auckland this morning. The sailing of the ship from Vancouver was delayed for 12 hours owing to the late arrival of mail matter, and consequently her arrival at Auckland was later than usual. The vessel brought 155 passengers, including 97 for New Zealand.

Captain David Baird, president of the Victoria and Vancouver Stevedoring Co., Ltd., is on a holiday visit to New Zealand, accompanied by his wife. His company has handled the Union Steam Ship Company's business for 25 years.

Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Williamson and Mrs. E. L. Blyth, formerly well known in Auckland, arrived on a holiday visit from Vancouver.

Princess Fusibala, a step-sister of Queen Salote, of Tonga, is on a health trip to. Australia. She will remain in the Commonwealth for a year.

Under the charge of the Rev. A. H. Woods, M.A., 8.D., of Tuboa College, Nukualofa, sixteen Tongan choir boys are on their way to Australia, where they will make a five months' tour under the auspices of the Methodist Missionary Society. The boys, who arrived to-day in their blue college blazers and vala6, skirts, were to have appeared at the Pitt Street Methodist Church last evening, but the late arrival of the ship prevented them from doing so. Their programmes will consist of English songs and native items in costume. The average age of the boye, most of whom are embryo teachers and Government officials, is 20 years. "I would say that their programme compares well with that of an English choir," said Mr. Woods. "I brought a similar party down from the Islands five years ago, but I think the present lot are better," ho added. With the party is another Tongan boy who is going to Newington College, Sydney, under a scholarship.

Mrs. E. J. Milburn, of London, arrived on a holiday visit to New Zealand.

Mr. O. Sommer, wool buyer from Germany, will attend this week's sale in Auckland. "I will not prophesy anything about prices," he said with a smile. "Last time I predicted prices I was all out. All I can do this time is to hope." Mr. Sommer said that wool had not suffered as much as rubber, wheat and some other products. The low rates ruling were entirely due to inability to pay more. It would take some time for prices to recover.

Dr. H. B. Lange, one of the four medical officers employed by the Tongan Government, returned to New Zealand, having decided to resettle in the Dominion after an absence of three years.