Chiefs chant for Queen

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33446, 30 January 1974, Page 2

Chiefs chant for Queen

N.Z.P.A. Staff Corresponden

RAROTONGA. January 29. Queen Elizabeth today became the first reigning monarch to visit the Cook Islands.

I As the Queen stepped (from her aircraft into i brilliant sunshine, followed by Princess Anne (and Captain Mark Phillips, she was greeted by |a colourful and noisy i scene. ■ Scores of drums began throbbing, and almost 100 (high-ranking chiefs started (chanting. I On the apron in front of the terminal were 1000 dancers, dressed in bananaleaf skirts, other foliage, and fragrant frangipani headdresses. The Queen was borne from the aircraft steps to (the reception area in a ceremonial “ata” — portable (throne reserved for the

I ■highest chiefs and royalty — ( carried by 40 warriors. , The Cook Islands Premier f (Sir Albert Henry) was • knighted in a simple cere- ■ mony by the Queen at the ■(airport. He is the Islands’ /first knight. As Sir Albert Henry knelt' before the Queen she rose, i took the ceremonial sword l from her equerry, and [ touched Sir Albert lightly on each shoulder. She whispered - to Sir Albert, and then prei sented him with the insignia . of Knight Commander of the I British Empire. The cere- . mony lasted about two minutes, and the Queen then left . for Ngatipa, where she will i spend the night. Sir Albert Henry returned 1 to the airport, after seeing > the Queen to the residence,

to preside over three hours of celebrations and dancing in honour of his knighthood. Representatives from each of the 15 islands will present him with gifts. Leaders arrive

One of the largest gatherings of Pacific Island leaders outside the South Pacific

Forum is in Rarotonga for the opening of the new international airport by the Queen tomorrow.

Led bv the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) they arrived at 1.30 p.m. today for a 24-hour stay.

The Minister of Civil Aviation (Dr Finlay) and senior New Zealand officials also arrived in the Air New Zealand DCB. This aircraft will fly to Christchurch tomorrow with the Queen on board. Mr Kirk was accorded a traditional Cook Islands greeting by 70 high-ranking chiefs and about 100 dancers. The welcome was not as grand as that for the Queen this morning, but it was equally impressive. Mr and Mrs Kirk and other leaders were presented with garlands of flowers as they walked between the swaying and chanting dancers to the official dais with ir Albert Henry. Fiji’s Prime Minister (Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara) and the Chief Minister of Papua New Guinea (Mr Michael Somare) are also in the party, as is the New Zealander Leader of the Opposition (Mr Marshall).