ISLANDERS GIVE GOVERNOR A GREAT WELCOME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 5

ISLANDERS GIVE GOVERNOR A GREAT WELCOME

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(10.5 a.m.) BELLONA, July 20. The cruise of the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, of the Southern Pacific has entered its final phase. He has visited the last of the three inhabited islands In the Tokelau Group and the New Zealand cruiser Bellona is now en route to Fiji. Their Excellencies will disembark at Suva early on Thursday morning and travel to Auckland by air the same day. The Governor-General’s experiences on the three tiny Tokelau atolls which may see a European only once or twice a year were probably the most moving and inspiring of the three weeks' cruise. Exuberant Enthusiasm

Proudly affirming loyal affection for the King, whom they have never seen or heard, the islanders greeted Their Excellencies with shy delight which blossomed into exuberant enthusiasm once their acquaintance was made. Members of the party were also showered with questions concerning the Royal Family and the officers of the Bellona who went ashore found themselves answering many inquiries ns to when where and how often they had seen the King and Queen. By Pacific standards the Tokelaus are poor islands, yet the visitors were deluged with gifts of mats, fans, hats, shells and hard-won food. On Nukunono it was known that Lady Freyberg was interested in the island’s shells. In adrition to a formal gift of hundreds of specimens of all species and sizes, women and children ran from open-sided houses as Her Excellency passed to augment her collection with individual contributions.

In return the- Tokelau people received tins of sweets and cases of biscuits and canned meats from Their Excellencies. These item are regarded as a luxurious change from the staple diet of fish and coconuts. Message From King

Island audiences warmlv applauded the message from the King read by the Governor-General. His Majesty said:

“I am glad you are taking this opportunity of visiting mv people in the Tokelaus. I realise that these islands are very detached and-seldom visited. Tell them that I think of them frequently and I send my eroefitws and good wishes for their' continued happiness and propsrity.” With the elders of each community as gravelv attentive audiences, the Governor-General heard a number of petitions presented bv the presidents of. local councils. Occasionallv there was a complicated issue dealing perhaos with the ownership of an atoll. Others concerned poliev matters such as financial assistance from the Government for patients taken to hospital in Samoa. But most were simple down-to-earth local difficulties, like Nukunono’s lack of wood for making coffins, Atafu’s need for a survey of the damaged church or Fakaopu’s hope for several bags of cement to provide a floor for the village hospital.

Some requests His Excellency was able to say would be met. In others, he gave an asurance of consideration by the Samoan administration or the. New Zealand Government. Interest of New Zealand

He emphasised the interest of the people and Government of New Zealand in the welfare of the lonely islands.

The most difficult landing conditions of the cruise were experienced at Ukunons, the last island of the group to be visited. A heavy, creaming surf made it dangerous to attempt to shoot the reef when the Bellona arrived off the normal landing place and seven outrigger canoes which had met the ship at sea were towed by the cruiser to the lee shore of the atoll.

Here, the frail CO or 70-year-old craft still tossed dizzily in a 12-foot swell alongside the cruiser’s gangway while the Governor-General and Lady Freyberg and members of their staff scrambled aboard. The reef was negotiated without trouble and Their Excellencies were carried for 400 yards over razor-like coral to reach the inner lagoon where they embarked in a tiny motor launch for the settlement three miles away.

Other members of the party travelled by canoe, sailing dinghy ' and finally on foot to attend the reception. Three hours later the same procedure was repeated for re-embarking in the cruiser. However, the sea had mpderated during the day and the trip was accomplished with only a few of the party getting a wetting from broken waves and spray.