Governor-General Back From Pacific Tour

Northern Advocate, 25 September 1943, Page 2

Governor-General Back From Pacific Tour

iPA) ' WELLINGTON, This Day. The Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) returned to New Zealand yesterday from a visit to certain Pacific islands. His Excellency was attended by Captain Holland-Martin, and has been away from the Dominion for about a fortnight. The first stop was Norfolk Island, where he was the guest of the Administrator (Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal) and Ladv Rosenthal. His Excellency inspected units of the New Zealand Army ‘inf; Royal New Zealand Air Force. Although time was necessarily limited, the Gov-ernor-General was able to speak individually to a large number of New Zealanders serving on the island. From Norfolk Island the Vice-Re o al party continued on its way to Western Samoa, where the Governor-General was received bv the Administrator (Mr. Turnbull). Throughout the visit His Excellency was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull at Vailima, near Apia. . The Governor-General visited Westein Samoa very hurriedly during his Pacific islands tour last year, but this time he was able to spend longer and see more ol the islands and their inhabitants. On the first day of his visit His Excellency received many members of the European community in the Courthouse, including a large number of New Zealand officials and their wives.

Greeted by Schoolchildren From there he proceeded to the Maliia School, where a combined gathering or schoolchildren awaited him. Over luuu children present provided a series or entertainments for His Excellency in the shape of songs, dances and physical training demonstrations. All these were admuably done and everyone present spent a most enjoyable morning In the afternoon the Fono Faipule (House of Representatives) welcomed His Excellency with the King’s kava ceremony at Mulinuu, a ceremony of great dignity and colour, during which presentations ol gifts w'ere made. _ , The next day the Governor-General visited the south side of Upolu and was received bv the chiefs, elders and orators of the district of Lefaga w'ith anotnei kava ceremony. His Excellency also inspected a unit of the Samoan Defence Force under New Zealand command.

Opens Rugby Season In the afternoon he returned to Apia where he opened the Samoan Rugby season by kicking off in the principal match. Next day, Sunday, His Excellency attended Divine service at Papauta Girls School and later at the London Missionary Society’s church in Apia. Early on Monday morning the ViceRegal party left Upolu for a visit to Savaii. The crossing to this island was made in a motor boat m fine weathei. At the entrance to the reef the GoveinoiGeneral was met by five Samoan longhmts 'each with a crew of about 40. His Excellency took his place m the stern of the leading long-boat and was paddled ashore at high speed, being carried by six stalwart Samoans for the last few yards On the shore the Resident Commissionei oresented to His Excellency the chiefs and elders of the district, who were awaiting him together with schoolchildren and a brass band. After visiting the Roman Catholic Mission and the tales (native houses) in which the Vice-Regal party were to be accommodated, His Excellency was received by the chiefs and 01 with another King’s kava ceremony, which was as impressive as that at Malmuu. Samoan Feast , Later His Excellency visited a native hospital and saw something of the surrounding country. In the afternoon he was present at a Samoan feast and aftei this excellent entertainment was given him by representatives of many local villages, who presented him with traditional gifts of welcome. , . , Next day, the Vice-Regal party returned to Upolu and His Excellency spent the afternoon visiting Apia Hospital. Attei this he was given a farewell kava by the Fono Faipule, at Mullinuu. In the evening His Excellency went to a dance given by the Seaute Club (an organisation ot Samoan ladies). In the Cook Islands This brought to an end His Excellency s visit to Western Samoa. His next port of call was Penrhyn Island (in the Northern Cook Group. the furthermost ot New Zealand's Pacific dependencies). Here His Excellency was greeted by Captain Viggo Rasmussen, Resident Agency. His Excellency walked around the village and met the ‘local Island Council. In the evening the w'hole village congregated and danced and sang for the Governor-General Returning from Penrhyn, His Excellency paid an official visit to the Military Governor at Pago Pago, where he spent the night, leaving for Suva next morning. In Fiji His Excellency spent several days inspecting New Zealand navy, army and air force personnel. Here, again, he was able to speak individually to most of the New Zealand men and women serving in the island. Inspects N.Z. Forces He also saw several units of the Fiji Defence Force under New Zealand command. He oaid a visit to the New Zealand Club, erected by the National Patriotic Fund Board for the use of members of the forces in Suva. Wherever he went, His Excellency was very much impressed by the efficiency and fitness of the New Zealanders of all three services and by their cheerful bearing. His Excellency made the greater part of his tour in an aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air, Force.