VICEREGAL TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 9

VICEREGAL TOUR

RAROTONGA VISIT

NATIVE LOYALTY

RAROTONGA, July 12,

Landing in Rarotonga yesterday morning in beautiful tropical weather, their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway were welcomed by the populace, on whom they made a happy impression. Before the reception they inspected a guard of honour of native returned soldiers and a parade by exservicemen, a boys' brigade, girl guides, and school children.

In a speech of welcome on behalf of the whole community, the Resident Commissioner stressed the loyalty of the natives to the Crown and expressed the hope that their Excellencies would spend a happy time in the Islands. His Excellency, in reply, expressed thanks for the loyal, friendly, and sincere welcome. Dr. Ellison was then invested with the Order of the British Empire.

In the afternoon their Excellencies attended a garden party and met over 400 guests. After an official dinner in the evening their Excellencies attended an official bar and spent ? happy time among the 350 guests. Today they inspected the hospital and child welfare nurses. The viceregal party then attended a combined Maori reception and a feast by all the tribes at a sacred marae called Taputapuatea, where they were received in the ancient style and in a friendly manner. Their Excellencies received many beautiful gifts from the Maori people. They also witnessed a parade of approximately 1100 school children of Rarotonga. Other features of the visit included a flight by a seaplane—the first plane to fly in the Cook Islands—and a march by marines and the ship's band. More than 400 school children visited the warship this afternoon. At 11 o'clock tonight their Excellencies will leave for Mangaia in continuation of the voyage to other islands of the group. They created a wonderful impression in Rarotonga.