NOW OF ABIKI BANK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 194, 18 July 1939, Page 8

NOW OF ABIKI BANK

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. CEREMONY IN ISLANDS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RAROTONGA, July 16. Their Excellencies Lord find Lady Galway, after a rough landing, spent an interesting afternoon ashore at Atiu, in the Cook Islands, where they were entertained at a native feast with singing and dancing. The visitors saw the ancient ceremony of making tapa cloth. , The Atiuans were thrilled by the spectacle of the ill-fated amphibian ’plane flying above them. Their Excellences left at 5 p.m. for Aitntaki, arriving at 8 a.m. on Saturday, "hen they were escorted through the lagoon by decorated boats with natives ainjjing songs of welcome. Alter I heir Excellencies inspected a guard of honour of returned soldiers at the reception, Tiro Ngaropu, on behalf or the arikis and chiefs, conducted the ceremony by the natives of raising His Excellency to arilti rank. This ceremony is similar to an investiture and the recognition of a high chief when being elevated to the position of supreme chief of the tribe. This was done as a mark of homage and loyalty to the Crown. After morning tea at the Residency Their Excc - lencies watched interesting items iy 500 schoolchildren, which was followed hv the presentation of gifts from the people. The visitors were entertained at a native feast and departed at i p.m. for Penrliyn, the most northern of the Cook Islands. , Their Excellencies were delighted with their reception and the colourful and interesting proceedings. Jlie only regrettable incident was the loss or the amphibian from the Achilles and the natives of the northern islands will be keenly disappointed as they have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness the first flight of a machine in that territory.