HIS EXCELLENCY'S TOUR IN THE PACIFIC.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 104, 30 October 1900, Page 6

HIS EXCELLENCY'S TOUR IN THE PACIFIC.

♦ — [BT TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBORNE, This Day. H.M.S. Mildura unexpectedly put in an appearance here at 2.30 yesterday afternoon, having called in on her way from the Islands to Lytleilou, to enable Lord Ranfiirly, who was aboard, to telegraph despatches. His ExaOency was accompanied by Captain HiH-Trevor, A.D.C., Lieut. -Colonel Gudgeon, British Resident in the Cook Islands, Mr. T. Goodwin, Secretary to the Cook Islands !Ad4»inistration, and Mr. Malcolm Ross", journalist. Lord Ranfurly stated that he has fully accomplished the mission on which he wais sent. He had succeeded in annexing- several islands of the ' Pacific, Cook Islands, and Niue, or Savage, Island, and these had been annexed, not for New Zealand, but for the British Empire. He had not been extending the boundaries of this colony. That was a matter entirely for her Majesty. His Excellency stated that' he had had an extiien^ely pleasant trip, although a good deal of r6ugh weather was met with, and "fiddles" were almost continuously on the tables. The weather was extremely hot at the Islands. He had everywhere been well received, and the natives were unanimously in favour' of the step • taken. In addition to the islands mentioned, the Mildura had visited Penhryn, which was previously a British posession, and ManaMka, a British protectorate. They had also called at the Kermadecs, and he went ashore on Sunday Island, and saw the Bells, tke only settlers there.