A VISIT TO THE COOK ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11061, 12 May 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

A VISIT TO THE COOK ISLANDS.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH COURT. RECEPTIONS BY THE NATIVES. H.M.S. Miidura, with His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand on hoard, arrived in Auckland on Sunday, April 29, from a trip to the Cook Islands, which was undertaken in order to enable Lord Ranfurly to visit the islands, which are under tho protectorate of Britain, and a dependency of New Zealand. His Excellency was altogether a wee!: at the islands, and during his stay he acted in conjunction with Queen Makes and the Federal Government in establishing a High Court for Cook Islands, The necessary proclamation establishing tho Court had to be made by Lord Ranfurly, in his capacity of Governor of Now Zealand and its dependencies, and His Excellency had the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies for this act as well as for the appointment of Liout.Colonel Gudgeon (the British Resident) to be Chief Justice. The Court is now an established fact in the island, the appointments of Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon as Chief Justice, of Pa Ariki as judge, and of Mr, W. B. Craig as registrar doting from April 22. In addition to establishing the High Court, which has been long wished for in the islands, His Excelloncy visited Beritane Palace, at Rarotonga, where he was received by Queen Makoa, chief of the Federal Government, and the principal chiefs. His Excellency, in reply to an address of wolcomo from Taraare, a noted native chief, gavo an address expressive of his interest in the islands, and laid particular emphasis on the necessity of tho residents sinking the ill-feeling which of lato years has been too prominent. Subsequently His Excellency hoard the grievances of European residents, and visited Ngatangiia, Arorangi, and Aitutaki. He was received according to the native custom, exhibitions of native danoing being given at each of the places, and before the Miidura left Rarobonga for Aitu taki native plays wero acted at the Qucen'u Palace boforo the Governor and party. At Arorangi His Excollency laid tho foundation Stone of a new bridge over tho Tukavaine creek, which was christened Ranfurly Bridge, and at Aitutaki ho laid the foundation-stone of a new mission school.

H.M.s. Mildura, having on board His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), accompanied by his private socretary ICantain Alexander) loft Auckland on April 9, having a capital run down, and fine weather, to Rarotonga, arriving on Sunday afternoon, the 16th hist. Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon (British Resident), with one or two of tho arikis, came on board. Tho British Resident dined with Captain Leah, of H.M.s. Mildura. On Monday morning, the 17th, at ten o'clock, His Excellency made his official landing, attended by Captain Alexander, private secretary, Captain Leah and oflirors of H.-Vl.s. Miidura. A guard of honour from tho Mildura had previously landed at tho wharf to pay tho usual honours to the Queen's representative. Tho vice-regal party were met by one or two of the arikis, who conducted them to Queen Makea's palace, where the formal reception took place. There wero several speeches of welcome made, to which His Excellency replied. After this, acting on his address, Lord Ranfurly received all petitions personally; also any persons desirous of placing any grievance before him. This occupied up till dusk, when His Excellency returned on board tho Miidura, sleeping throughout the trip on board. On the following day, tho 18th, His Excellency landed at nino o'clock, and continued investigating petitions re grievances until eleven a.m., and then drove off to Ngatangiia to visit the tribe, whose headquarters are there. Dancing and acting took place for tho amusement of the visitors, and His Excolloncy, aftor lunching there, returned lo Queen Makea's palace, which had been placed at his disposal, and spent over two hours in discussing with tho principal men tho affairs of the Cook Islands Group. His Excellency then returned on board the Mildura. On the 19th, His Excollency landed at eight o'clock, and continued tho same business, discussing the public affairs of tho group. His Excellency then opened the first bridge built in tho Cook Islands Group, naming it, by request of Queen Makea, "The Ranfurly Bridge." After that Lord Ranfurly drove to tho school of the London Missionary Society, and was the guest of Miss Lawrence, M.A., tho mistress of the school Subsequently His Excollency was driven to Arorangi, where was a largo native gathering, and dancing and acting took place for the entertainment of the Governor and the guests. The party loft at three p.m. and returned to Queen Makea's palace, where His Excollency transacted public business till dusk. On tho 20th, His Excellency landed from the Miidura at eight a.m., and went further into Cook Islands affairs with Queen Makea and the leading chiefs also including tho European population. This was followed by dancing, acting, and singing, after which Lord Ranfurly lunched at tho British Residency with Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon.

At four p.m. His Excellency left in H.M.s. Mildura, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon (tho British Resident) and Mr. Goodwin, interpreter, for Aitutaki, 150 miles distant. At Aitutaki, on the 21st, there wero dances and the usual performances of that character. His Excellency laid tho foundation stone of a boarding school for tho Rev. Mr. Lawrence, L.M.S., with whom ho lunched.

The Mildura loft at fivo p.m. for Rarotonga, arriving at nine a.m. on the 22nd. His Excellency received committees mid other persons in the morning, and returned on board for lunch. Queen Makea and the principal chiefs came off to the warship at halfpast one p.m., and were entertained by Captain Leah. On their leaving the ship a salute was fired, and the same compliment was paid to tho British Resident (LieutenantColonel Gudgeon) on his leaving tho Mildura. His Excellency then returned to tho shore, and held a council of Makea, tho arikis, and chiefs, at which considerable business, resulting from previous discussions, was settled, the whole of the members of tho Council being unanimously of opinion as to the requisite alterations in the law. To sum up these in a few words, they represent, firstly, tho disappearance of the provincial system, and the Federal Council becoming paramount, i.e., the abolition of tho Rarotongan Council; secondly, tho alteration of the duty on spirits, which at the present time is but 10 per cent., the same as on other imports, representing only 2d or 3d per gallon on trado rum to 12s per gallon (proof), the same as in New Zealand; thirdly, an entire alteration in the judicial arrangements as regards the island of Aitutaki. After the Council had been held, His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Captain Alexander, private secretary, sailed in H.M.s. Mildura for Auckland, via the Kermadccs. The Mildura visited Sunday, Macaulay, and Curtis Islands, but owing to the weather prevailing did not land anywhere. There were many goats seen on Macaulay Island. At Sunday Island the Mildura anchored and blow the foghorn, but there was no response from the shore, and she shortly afterwards steamed away for Auckland, which she readied yesterday afternoon.

RECEPTION AT THE QUEEN'S PALACE, When the Governor landed at Rarotonga on the morning of April 17 he was received by the arikis and -principal chiefs, who escorted him to Beritane Palace, the residence of Queen Makea. A chief of high rank named Taraare welcomed the Governor from I he verandah of tho palace, stating that he spoke on behalf of the arikis, mataiapos, chiefs, and rangitiras, who were pleased and delighted to have a direct representative of Her Majesty Queen Victoria amongst them. His Excellency, in reply, said:— is a matter of much satisfaction to me that I have been able to meet tho arikis and chiefs of Rarotonga and other islands of the Federation in their own country. Personally, I regard it as one of the duties of my position to make myself acquainted with the circumstances of each island, whether permanently under the " mana" of the British Crown or merely a protected State, such as the Federation of the Cook Islands. In either ease, I am convinced that it is not possible to settle any" difficulty that may arise without tho personal knowledge of the characters of the leading men, and the requirements of their country, which can alone be obtained by seeing with one's own eyes, and hearing with one's own cars. Furthermore, it is a pleasure to me to visit those islands from which the ancestors of the New Zealand Maoris migrated nearly five centuries ago, and thereby established a record for daring and skill that has hardly been equalled by any feat of navigation recorded in history. The interest I take in the Maori people of Polynesia is natural, for you must remember that I am the Governor of the largest population of Maoris in the world, and therefore I have a natural desire to see for myself what manner of people they were who remained behind when the great migration sailed for New Zealand. My other reason is this Her Majesty, having assumed a protectorate over this group, I am anxious that the affairs of the Federation should be conducted with as much wisdom and economy as can bo reasonably expected from a people who have so lately adopted the European system of Government, and_ hence, if you are of opinion that my advice is likely to be of any value to you, I shall be glad to confer with you on any point you may desire. I am informed that persons, possibly malici--1 ously disposed, have spread. reports to the I effect that my visit to you was intended as a I preliminary to the annexation of the Cook

Islands to the British Empire. I need hardly toll you that I have been much annoyed by this attempt to create distrust and ill-feel-ing between the Maori people and the Sovereign I have the honour to represent, and I therefore immediately authorised Colonel Gudgeon, your British Resident, to flatly contradict the report, which, I fear, had I its origin in tho bad feeling which I am | aware existed in tho past, but which I had : hoped to find extinct. In'a small island like Rarotonga there is no room for malice and | ill-feeling, and those who seek to keep it alive are acting a very mean and criminal ' part. It should be the effort of pakeha and Maori alike to work together and try to protnoto the welfare and trade both of .your group of islands and your Government. i It IS my intention to visit Ailutaki, and time will not permit my visiting the other islands. | lor this reason I cannot prolong my stay ! longer than necessary with you. lint I shall ; he hero long enough to advise with the arikis, ■ raatuiapos, and rangitiras on any subject on winch they may desire to consult mo. If any huropeau has a grievance, I shall be equally glad to hear what he has to say, and will assist him in any reasonable way in my power, should I consider his grievance just. I thank the people of Rarotonga for the reception accorded to mo to-day, and shall hope before departing to have an opportunity of expressing my views. In tho afternoon the settlements of Avarua, Avatiu, Takmaine, Maraercnga, and Tupapa gave an excellent exhibition of native singing and dancing, at which His Excellency and party were much delighted.

VISITS TO THE SETTLEMENTS. The following account of the Governor's movements on tho throo following days is taken from the loi Karanga: — On Tuesday the vice-rogal party proceeded to [Ngatangiia, where another address and reception took place, after which His Excellency was made the recipient of a number of beautiful hats and mats. Afterwards an exhibition of dancing was given by the settlements of Matavera, Ngatangiia, Titikavcka, and Muri. Some entirely new features in stilt and pedestal dancing were introduced, and altogether the performance was the best of its'kind yet teen on the island.

Oil Wednesday a visit was mado to Arorangi. On tho way thither a most interesting event took place. This was the opening anil naming of the new bridge over the Tukavaino Creek. His Excellency was driven to the structure by the Rev. J. .T. K. Hutchin. On arriving at the bridge His Excellency was met by Colonel Gudgeon (British Resident) and Ngamaru (Chief Judgo of tho Arikis' Court). Colonel Gudgeon explained that tho structure had been creeled entirely by native labour ami under native supervision, and that it was the first largo work of its kind the natives of these islands had ever attempted. His Excellency, on examining the structure, said it pleased him very much to perform such an important function. The work in it gave plain evidence that the Maoris were fast acquiring the skill of European mechanical labour. _ He was very pleased to open the bridge and give it the name of Ranfurly Bridge. On this Ngamaru called for three cheers for His Excellency, which were heartily responded to. The party then proceeded to the Cook Islands Hospital, and wero shown over the building by Dr. George Craig, the medical superintendent. His Excellency expressed himself as greatly pleased with all that he saw, and thought the institution was a oredit to so small a community. After this '.he party continued thoir journey to Arorangi, and wero received by Tinomana Ariki, Chief cf the Rarotonga Council, and Mr. J, M. Salmon, Chairman of the Fedoral Parliament, and tho loading people of tho district. A similar programme was gone through to that presented at Ngatangiia,, and His Excellency and party returned to Avarua about five o'clock in the afternoon well pleased with his visit and reception through the settlements of Rarotonga.

FESTIVITIES AT THE PALACE. In tho evening an invitation dance was given by Makea Ariki, chief of the Federal Government, in honour of (lie Governor's visit. The dance was held in the Londun Missionary Society's schoolroom, which had been kindly lent for the occasion. The room was very tastefully decorated with flowers, ferns, greenery, and looked delightfully cool and pleasant. Some capital music was supplied by Mr. S. Savage' (violin), Mr. 11. C. Rover, Dr. G. Craig, and Mrs. J. S. Cottcrell (piano). At about eight o'clock the Governor and party, accompanied by Captain Leah and officers of H.M.s. Mildura, the British Resident (Colonel W. E. Gudgeon), and arikis entered (he building to the strains of the National Anthem and "Rule Britannia," by the orchestra. By this time the room was well filled, and (lancing commenced, and was kept lip with great vigour till about two o'clock the next morning. Instead of the usual supper table, a plentiful supply of light refreshments were served at intervals during the evening, which seemed to give eminent satisfaction. Everything passed ojf most successfully, and the Governor and Mildura party appeared to enjoy themselves immensely, and declared that their visit to Rarotonga would not be very soon forgotten. Thursday being "tho big day" in Avarua, the natives were early astir in making preparations for their exhibition of ancjont life and customs in Makea's grounds. During the morning a large party of dancers from Arorangi arrived, and were, through the kind invitation of Captain Leah, allowed to go on board the man-o'-war, where, after inspecting all parts of the ship, they treated (he officers and crew to an exhibition of their native dancing. Needless to say, this was greatly enjoyed by those on board. By midday Makea's grounds were crowded by an immense concourse of people. In addition to the usual "imenes" and "ura-uras," some capital sketches of early life were given in opera bouffe style, which was as much relished by the white spectators as the natives themselves. The funny element was well sustained by some clover representations of reptiles, fishes, and birds, which, by their movements and antics, created a great deal of amusement.

Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Beard has been in luck's way lately. Captain Rough's gift of £500 has been paid over, and now the Hospital and the Avondale Asylum have been made residuary legatees under the will of the late Mr. Arthur K. Wolfe, who was a gentleman of means, living at Whangarei, for many years. He died suddenly at the Imperial Hotel in Tiecember last. It is expected that both institutions will benefit to the extent of about £3300. The. trustees are the Rev. L. L. Cubitt. and Mr. E. Thompson, M.H.R. Mr. J. R. Reed, solicitor for Mr. Relth, who is said to have a claim on the estate, appeared at the Board in connection with the matter on April 24. This amount, added to Captain Rough's £500, gives £2800, to which must be added the Government subsidy, £600 in Captain Rough's case (which, as a voluntary contribution, earns a subsidy of 24s in the £), and £500 in the case of Mr. Wolfe's bequest, bequests being subsidised at the rate of 10s in the £, but not to exceed £500 for any one bequest. The total will he al out £3900. By the death of Mrs. Ann Gamble, the Board receives a further legacy of £400.

Tlio president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr. John Burns) has prepared a statement of facts for circulation throughout the colony, showing the respective positions of Auckland and Wellington, with reference to the San Francisco mail service. Details are given of the difference in time in the delivery of mails in all parts of the colony if Wellington is made the port, of call in place of Auckland, and a large array of facts are incorporated, showing that the 'bulk of the- inward cargo by the mailboats is delivered in Auckland. The question of time in the delivery of the Sydney mails is also touched upon ; in fact, the whole case for and against Auckland being continued as the port of call is lucidly summed up and set forth in an eminently fair spirit. The facts made use of by Mr. Burns are now pretty well known in Auckland, but in the Southern parts of the colony, where the statement will in due time be circulated at the instance of the Chamber of Commerce, they should be read with interest, and will no doubt materially assist colonists to make up their minds on the debated question of the port of call. A petition to the Government is being promoted by Mr. Richard Marsh, of Riverhcad, with respect to the Austrian influx and the giimficlds. It urges the introduction of a law securing the gumfields exclusively to British subjects. It states that many of the smaller settlers are being deprived of their principal means of living, and will be forced into the town to swell the ranks of the unemployed.

During the month of March there were employed on Government co-operative works 2449 artisans and labourers, of whom 1344 were under the Survey Department, '23 at the nurseries, 1110 under the Public Works Department, arid 22 at the Levin State farm.

At the Cambridge Chrysanthemum Show the decorations included the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes united in a lover's knot, also a banner bearing the inscription : "England^and'America, one race, one language, one faith., one hope, one love." After, the Mayor had opened the exhibition the .band played ; vthe National Anthem and " Hail, ■ Columbia."