MISSION TO ISLANDS

Northern Advocate, 17 April 1933, Page 6

MISSION TO ISLANDS

GOVERNOR-GENERAL ARRIVES. ABOARD THE DIOMEDE. AUSPICIOUS OPENING. (Special to Press Assn. —By Radio.) H.M.S. DIOMEDE, Saturday.

The first stage -of H.M.S. Diomede’s. cruise was completed when the vessel dropped anchor in Nukualofa at 11.15 a.m'. today. The weather was perfect during the latter part of the voyage, giving a good opportunity to clean up the ship and repair the damage done in two days’ continuous gale. The low-lying island of Tongatabu was sighted about eight this morning, and soon the famous • blowholes and a line of pounding surf were visible from the deck. On the reef at the entrance the deck of an old steamer still points a defiant bow at the sky. Proceeding towards her anchorage, the Diomede fired a salute for Tonga and Queen Salote, and the ship’s baud played the, Tongan National Anthem.

Immediately 'after anchor was dropped the visitors were received and a call made on His Excellency the Governor-General by the British Agent and Conshl, Mr Neill. Subsequently his Excellency landed and was received by the acting-Prirae Minister, Mr Soloman Ata, the Chief Justice/ Mr MurrayAgusley, aud other citizens. Calls were immediately made on Queen Salote Tabu, who later entertained Lady Bledisloe at tea. The day’s proceedings w r ere very picturesque, and made an auspicious opening of their Excellencies’ tour.

The residents of Nukualofa gave a splendid reception to the Lady Bledisloe, who was the guest of Queen Salote at a party in the Eoyal Palace and grounds. . The natives attended in hundreds, wearing their picturesque eos.tumes and highly decorative finery. The exhibitions ,of dancing were exceedingly interesting and entertaining, and Her Excellency was obviously delighted by the cordiality of the Queen and her unaffected subjects. ,

• On Saturday night the Queen was the guest of Their Excellencies at dinner on board the. Diomede. The guests included an official part3* from: Nukualofa and also Commodore F. BnrgessAYatson and Captain A r . A. C. Crutchley, Y.C. Apart from the official functions, the residents of Nukualofa arranged for the entertainment of the officers and crew, who spent a delightful day Sightseeing ami playing tennis and golf.

The cruiser will leave oii Monday for Vavan, where she will remain from Tuesday to Wednesday.