VISIT TO PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 310, 25 September 1943, Page 6

VISIT TO PACIFIC

Governor-General’s Tour

N.Z. SERVICE UNITS INSPECTED

The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, returned to New Zealand on Thursday from a brief visit to certain of the Pacific Islands. His Excellency, who was attended by Major C. J. Holland-Martin, had been away from the Dominion for about a fortnight.

His first stop was at Norfolk Island, where he was the guest of the Administrator, Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal, and Lady Rosenthal. During his stay in the island, his Excellency inspected units of the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air I'orciThough his time was necessarily limited, the Governor-General was able to speak individually to a very large number ot the New Zealand men serving on the island. ... , From Norfolk Island the Vice-Regal party continued on their way to Western Samoa, where the Governor-General was received bv. the Administrator, Mr. AC. Turnbull. Throughout his visit his Excellency was the guest of Mr. and Sirs. Turnbull at Vailima, near Apia. The Governor-General had visited Western Samoa very hurriedly during bis L acitic Islands tour last year, but this time he was able to stay much longer, and to see more of the islands and their inhabitants On the first day of his visit, his Excellency received many members of the European community in the courthouse, including a large number of the Xew Zealand officials and their wives, From there, the Governor General proceeded to Malifa School, where a combined gathering of school-children awaited him. Over 1000 children were present and provided a series of entertainments for his Excellency in the shape of songs, dances, and physical training demonstrations. Ad these were admirably done, and everyone present spent a most enjoyable morning. In the 'afternoon, the Fono Faipule (House of Representatives) welcomed his Excellency with a King’s Kava ceremony at Mulinu’u, a ceremony of great dignity and colour, during which presentations of gifts were made. Samoan Defence Force.

The next day inc Governor-General visited the south side of the island ot Upoln, and was received by the cniets. ’elders and orators of the district of Le ifaga with another kava.. His Excellency also inspected a unit of the Samoan Defence Force under New Zealand com maud. In the afternoon, the Governor General returned to Apia, where he opened the Samoan Rugby football season by kicking off in the principal match The next day, Sunday, hi s Excellency attended divine service at the Papauta Girls’ School, and later at the London Missionary Society’s church in Apia. Early on Monday morning the ViceRegal party left the island of Upolu for a visit to Savai’i. The crossing to this island was made in a motor-boat in fine weather. At. the entrance to the reef the Governor-General was met by live Samoan longboats, each with a crew of about 40. His Excellency took his place in the stern of the leading longboat and was paddled ashore at high speed., being carried by six stalwart Samoans for the last few yards. On the shore the Resident Commissioner presented to his Excellency the chiefs and elders ot the district who were awaiting him, together with the schoolchildren and a brass band. After visiting the Roman Catholic Mission and the tales (native houses) in which the Vice-Regal party were to oe accommodated, his Excellency' was received bv Hie chiefs and orators with another King's Kava.. The ceremony was as impressive as that at Mulinu’u.. Later his Excellency visited the native hospital and saw something of the surrounding country. In the afternoon he was present at a Samoan feast, and after this an excellent entertainment was given him by representatives of many of the local villages, who presented him with the traditional gifts of welcome.

Visit to Hospital.

The next day the Vice-Rcgal party returned to Upolu, and his Excellency spent the afternoon in visiting the Apia Hospital. -After this the Governor-General was given a farewell kava by the I’ono Faipule nt Mulinu’u. In the evening his Excellency went to a dance given by the Semite Club (an organization of Samoan ladies). This brought to an cm. his Excellency’s visit to Western Samoa. The Governor-General’s next port ol call was Penrhyn Island (in the Northern Cook Group), the furthermost of New Zealand’s Pacific dependencies. Here his Excellency was greeted by Captain ''ggo Rasmussen, the Resident Agent. His Excellency walked around the village ano met the local Island Council. In the evening the whole village congregated and danced and sang for the Governor-Gen-Returning from Penrhyn, his Excellency paid an official visit to the Military Governor of Pago Pago, where he spent a night, leaving for Suva the next tnornU 1 In Fiji his Excellency spent several days inspecting New Zealand Navy, Army and Air Force personnel. Here again he was able to speak individually to most of the New Zealand men and women serving in the island. He also saw several units of the Fiji Defence Force under New Zealand command, and paid a visit to the New Zealand Club erected by tne National Patriotic Fund Board for the use of the members of the forces when in Suva. Wherever he went Ins Excellency was very much impressed, by the elficienecy and fitness of- the New Zealailuers of all three services, and by their cheerful bearing. His Excellency made flic greatci pail of his tour in aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.