Hazardous Boat Trip For Lord Cobham

Press, Volume C, Issue 29588, 10 August 1961, Page 15

Hazardous Boat Trip For Lord Cobham

Zealand Press Association)

ABOARD ROYALIST, August 8. A hazardous boat trip • '.rough the surf to the small island of I/lauke, in the Cook Islands, w»s a feature of the birthday today of the Governor-General of New Zealand (Lord Cobham). It was a busy birthday for his Excellency, as three islands were visited. His Excellency visited Mauke this morning, then

MiHaro, where representatives of the local population boarded .the Royalist for a “rtef reception, and finally The passage through the reef at Mauke this morning yas considered too rough «>r the Vice-Regal party's sur f boat, so it was dragged across the reef to the beach, where his Excellency and Lady Cobham were transferred to seats on a gailydecorated platform, carried by four men. The island of Mauke is small and remote, and the Governor-General's visit was °ne of its great events, said the Resident Agent. Mr A, M. Hall, in a message of welcome after the presentation of gifts. It was an even more important visit since it was made on his Excellency’s birthday. Mr Hall said. He had spent his birthday in many places of the world, but now he had seen the best Place. Lord Cobham said. He was sorry the visit . was so short, but he had a lot of islands to see, and the cruiser burnt a lot of oil. He delivered the Queen’s message to the Cook Islands. After a short tour of the island and morning tea. the Vice-Regal party was entertained at a feast before leaving for the Royalist. About 60 islanders came on board the Royalist at Mitiaro —a fifth of the island’s population. As it was Lord Cobham’s birthday, gifts were showered on him and Lady Cobham, including a magnificent model of an outrigger canoe, from the people of the island. Also received were tables, fans, shell necklaces, and woven bags. There was much laughter at Aitu when the Resident Agent. Mr I. Robertson, pointed out that the island did have radio and had heard his Excellency score a six and take a catch in a memorable cricket match at Eden Park, Auckland. The Royalist, after putting on a 15-minute fireworks display for the people of Atiu, sailed for Pago Pago, American Samoa, where she is due to refuel on Friday. She will sail the next day for Western Samoa.