FAREWELL EVENING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 6

FAREWELL EVENING

SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS CHIEF FROM RAROTONGA A social evening of interest to all South Sea Islanders resident in New Zealand took place at Symondsville. The occasion was a farewell to Makea Tinirau, paramount chief of Rarotonga, prior to his departure for Avarua, Cook Islands. There was a representative attendance of 200 guests including llarotongans, Samoans, Tongans, Maoris and Europeans. In the official party was Judge H. F. Ayson, formerly Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands. ' Mrs. Love acted as hostess and roceived the guest of honour, who was accorded a song of welcome (Ono Mai ra o taku Ariki) by llarotongans in native costume. Later in the evening they gave a war cry (Te Toki), also a chant (Puhiti E), which was encored. The peri or mors then played a mouth organ and guitar dance number, while a Tongan hula was performed by an island girl. An address, interpreted by Mr. Tiakana Potatai, was given by the guest of honour. "1 am glad to bo among you, and to see for myself that you enjoy the peace of this country," he said. "I would like tho llarotongans in New Zealand to co-operate and form a Polynesian Club in Auckland, to welcome and assist any native who comes from tho South Sea Islands. They do not know your country or your ways, and many a heart has been grievo'd through lack of friendship in a strange land." A farewell hv combined natives in costume followed. _ , Dance music was supplied by the "South Sea Islanders" string band, assisted by Miss Freda Henderson at tho piano.