TOUR OF THE ISLANDS

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 8

TOUR OF THE ISLANDS

RETURN OF TUTANEKAI.

DR. POMARE AT NIUE.

ENTERTAINED AT TONGA.

The Government steamer Tutanekai. with the Hon. Dr. Pomare and the members of his party aboard, returned to Auckland on Saturday, after having visited the Cook Islands, Nine, and Tonga. The Tutanekai left Auckland for Karotonga on May 16, and in the course of the following four weeks sho conveyed the Governor (the liar l of Liverpool) and Dr. pomare, Minister in charge of tho Islands Department, to the various southern islands of the Conk Group. On June 11, His Excellency joined the Moaua at Ilarotonga, and rotinned to Wellington, while tho Tutanekai, with the Minister aboard, went on to the other islands. The Minister was accompanied by Mrs. Pomare, Miss Hardy (Hike's Bay), Miss Xortlicrc/ft (daughter of the Resident Commissioner at l'arotonga), Major O'Sullivan (Defence staff), .Mr. A. X. l'olson (privato secretary), Mr. K. G. Twiss (olfioer in charge of tho lalands Department), and press representatives.

The Tutanekai arrived at Niuo on June t4. and tho Minister was very cordia'ly welcomed by the Resident Commission ir, Mr. H. Cornwall, and by the European and nativo populations. The Minister paid a formal visit to Togiia, a very old and decrepit man, who still carries tho titlu of King of Nine, and in subsequent conferences with the natives, Dr. Pomare gavo them to understand that there would not be another king in Niue, and that on l'ogiia's death, the office of president of the Island Council, which he now occupies, would be filled oy the 110-iidgnt Comnv.f>§ipngr. Tho Ministerial party was most hospitably entertained by the natives, who provided a least, dances, etc., and on tho afternoon of the 15th, when the travellers embarked for Tonga, thoy came aboard laden with presents. V&vau wis reached on June 17, and the Minister was warmly welcomed a.nd entprtaiucd by Ttigi, Governor of Vavau, «nd ono of tho rpost enlightened and progressiva Tongaiia. On the morning of Juno 19, tho Tutanekai arrived at Nukualofa, the chief town oj the inland, kingdom, anil the New Zealand Minister was very cordially received Dy King George Tabou 11., tho Premier, and tho Cabinet Ministers, while the white residents— of them New Zealandm —headed by Mr. Grant, the British resident, Dr. Izard, the health officer, and Mr. Skeno, the Chief Justice, spared no pains to givo tho visitors entertainment Md jtauro. On Saturday, June 20, the visitors were taken some miles inland to a monster picnic, that had been arranged by the Premier, and here, on the site of an old fortified village, where was fought the last battle thai took placo 011 Tongan soil, there were feasting, speeches, and ancient native dances.

The Tutanekai left Nukualofa on Juno 21, and met with very stormy weather during the run to Auckland. It was at first 'intended 'that the should call at Sunday Island, in the Kermadoc Group, and bring to New Zealand a family named Belt, which occupied this loueiy speck of land for some time. As it was arranged with the New Zealand authorities by wireless, however, that the ft earner should immediately return to tho vicinity of the Kermadecs and make a, search ' for the missing (idling launch, a stop was made at Sunday Island" for a sufficient time only to Vend a message ashore advising the pqoplc thaw that thoy would bo taken off the island next week.

Just before reaching Auckland, the passengers on tho Tutanekai took the opportunity of presenting an address to Captain Post, tanking him for his unremitting courtesy and attention to their comfort during" the ' long voyage, and expressing r.pprccia'tion of the manner in which' be handled his ship during the stormy weather that, at liniefi had been encountered.