VICE-REGAL TOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1939, Page 7

VICE-REGAL TOUR

ISLAND HOSPITALITY.

(By Radio —Special to Press Assn).

RAROTONGA, July. 14.

Through the main landing at -Mangala, in the Cook group, being unworkable, their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway, landed .over the reef in canoes at the Uakoro landing at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday. Shooting, the: reef was a thrilling experience for the visitors, who received an enthusiastic welcome by the people of Mangaia at the main village of Oneroa. , Their Excellencies were entertained by native singing and dancing and a native feast given by the residents, headed by Matekeiti Ariki. Afterwards they drove round the island, visiting ancient historic caves on the way, at the village of Tamarua. After, afternoon tea at the Residency, their Excellencies embarked at 4.30 p.m., the sea being then favourable. The weather was fine throughout and on their departure their Excellencies expressed pleasure at the manner in which the day had been arranged. Continuing the tour their excellencies arrived at Mauke at 6.35 a.m. on Friday, when the reef was too rough to permit the using of the main landing. The vice-Regal party disembarked at an alternate landing at Angataura, and were entertained at the main village, Kimiangatau, by snging, dancing and a native feast? A’'visit was made'to an ancient praying ’istone, and the visitors also • inspected returned soldiers’ school, children. \ . - Their Excellencies sailed at 10.45 p.m. for Atiu where, th'e main landing again being rough, they disembarked further along the coast, at Konakonako.

HIS EXCELLENCY HONOURED.

RAISED TO RANK OF ARIKI

(Received July .17, 12,30 p.m.)

RAROTONGA, July 16

Their Excellencies, after, a rough landing, spent an ..interesting after noon ashore at Atiu, in the Cook Islands, where they were entertained 1 at a native fe'ast, with singing and dancing. The visitors saw the ancient ceremony-, of making tapa cloth „ The Atiu'ans 'were thrilled' the. spectacle of aeroplane. flying, Lord and Lady Galway left at 5 p.m. for Aitutaki. arriving at 8-a.m. on Saturday. They were escorted through the lagoon by decorated boats 1 , with natives ‘Singing welcome. songs. After their Excellencies inspected a guard of honour of returned 1 soldiers at the reception, Tiro Ngaropu, on behalf ci the arikis ami the chiefs, conducted the ceremony of raising His Excellency to ariki rank. This ceremony is similar to the investiture imdi recognition of a high chief, when he is being elevated to the rank of supreme chief of a tifibe. This was done as a mark of homage and loyalty to the Crown. After morning tea at the Residency, Their Excellencies watched interesting items by 500 school children, followed by the presentation of gifts- from the people. The visitors were entertained, at a native feast, and departed at one p.m. for Penrhyn, -the northernmost of the Cook Islands.

Their Excellencies are delighted with their reception, and the colourful and interesting 'proceedings. The only regrettable incident was the loss of a seaplane- from the Achilles, and the. natives in the northern island's will be keenly' disappointed, as they have been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to witness their first flight. Beautiful tropical (weather has lasted throughout the tour. ACHILLES LOSES ’PLANE OCCUPANTS’ DRAMATIC ESCAPE. AUCKLAND,'. July- 17. A Press Association radio, message from the warship Achilles,•'flatfed on Saturday, states: Following.a.successful flight over Aitutaki, tOrday,-: the amphibian plane .of ]-1.M.j5,.,.. Achilles capsized at the /cruiser’s’ "side and sank in 300 fathering of r water. The pilot, Lieutenant Sykes, and Lead-ing-Telegraphist Trent both made a dramatic escape from . the sinking plane, in shark-infested waters. The plane y^sTa;,wdrrus/amphibian, replacing a similar /machine lost in the Red Sea dujilig '.H.Mi.S. /Achilles’ trip to New Zedlfinll, last April? 1 '

Lengthy flights had already been made to Rarotonga and 'Maiike Atin, where the natives were awed by the first “iron bird” they had seen. No previous trouble was experienced. This morning, the plane made perfect take-off by means of the cruiser’s catapult. Their Excellencies, Captain Parry, and twelve officers, who were lunching at the Aitutaki Residency, received a message, heliographed to the shore, stating that the 'plane had sunk, but that the crew was safe. Heroic efforts made by Sykes and Trent, and sailors, to secure wires to the sinking, plane, were, not successful. The accident'occurred while the piano was being hoisted aboard, ft is impossible for a diver to operate, owing to the tremendous depth. Captain Parry informed the Press Association representative that an inquiry will be held to investigate the cause of the acpident.