SPLENDID RECEPTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18065, 17 April 1933, Page 5

SPLENDID RECEPTION

•, i- ■ - VICEREGAL ISLAND TOUR

FUNCTIONS AT NUKUALOFA

[Special to Press Association by Itadio) H.M.S. DIOMEDE, April 16.

The first stage of the Diomede’s cruise was completed when tho vessel dropped anchor at Nukualofa at 11.15 a.m. yesterday. The weather was perfect during the latter part of the voyage, giving a good opportunity to clean up tho ship and repair'.the damage sustained in the two days’ continuous gale. Tho iow-lying Island of logatabu was sighted about 8 o’clock in the morning, and soon the famous blow-holes and lines of pounding surf • were visible from the deck. On the reef at the entrance, the deck ol an old steamer still points its defiant bow at the sky. ~ Proceeding towards her anchorage, the Diomede fired a salute for Tonga and its Queen, Salote laou, and the ship’s hand played the Tongan National Anthem. Immediately after the anchor was dropped' visitors were received and a, call made on laik Excellency by the British Agent-Consul, Mr. Neill. Subsequently, nis Excellency landed and was received by the acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Solomon Ata, the Chief Justice, Mr. Murray Aynsley, and other citizens. Calls were immediately made on Queen Salote, who later entertained Lady Bledisloe a,t tea. The day’s proceedings were very picturesque and made an ahspicious opening of Their Excellencies’ fcoiir. .v The residents of Nukualofa gave a splendid reception to Lady Bledisloe, who was the guest of Queen Salote, at a party in the Royal Palace and the grounds. The natives attended in hundreds, wearing picturesque costumes and highly decorative finery. The exhibitions of dancing were exceedingly interesting and entertaining. Her Excellency was obviously delighted by the cor duality of the Queen and her unaffected subjects. To-night the Queen was tho guest of Their Excellencies at dinner aboard the Diomede. The guests included the official party from Nukualofa, and also Commodore Burgess Watson and Captain Cnutchley. , . Apart from official functions, the residents of Nukualofa arranged for the entertainment of the officers and crew, who spent a delightful day in sightseeing, tennis and golf.