THE VICE-REGAL PARTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6940, 1 November 1900, Page 1

THE VICE-REGAL PARTY.

kORD RANPURLY'S ANNEXATION TOUR. ! HIS EXCELLENCY'S VISIT TO ) CHRISTCHURCH. ' HIS PRESENT ENGAGEMENTS. PTER VIEW WITH THE HON C. HILL TREVOR. Hia Kxcellej.vy th© Governor, with hia auite, arrived in Lyttelton yesterady morning by H.M.S. Mildura. During his stay tn Christchurch Lord Ranfurly will occupy he residence in Park Terrace which Mr H. IF. Wigram has placed at his disposal. The jarrival of the vice-regal party was a little unexpected, for, although notice of it was jtelegraphed from Gisborne, t"e disorganised condition of t'he 'wires prevented the news Srora being received in Christchurch. ] The Governor himself was engaged when ft representative of the "Star " galled yesterday afternoon, bub the Hon Oharles Hill Trevor courteously supplied *vms information about Lord Ranfurly's ,tou.t of annexation to the islands of the South Pacific, und übout his Excellency's [probable movements during Ms visit here. : The warship Mildura, whioh conveyed (the Governor during his recent expedition, ;is, according to the Hon C. Hill Trevor, a Very comfortable vessel to travel in. Owing to the weight of the guns, and the other dmpedimenttt 0 n deck, which renders her a (trifle top-heavy, she rolls to a Considerably Igreater extent than ordinary passenger [boats, but this is tho only respect in wliich she inflicts any unusual discomfort on the lUndsman. The bout whose recovery n.ear .Wellington caused some anxiety was lost tluring heavy weather on the night that the Mildura started on her oruise. For tome time after it camo adrift from its projpex moorings it hung by one hook, until it finally disappeared. ■ When the islands wero reached, the naitiveJD showed a- unanimous desire to come ■■under the British flag. No pressure was (put upon them to induce them to agree to \)ha annexation of their possessions, and Lord Ranfurly impressed upon them that they must send him a voluntary cession bei>«> he would perform the ceremony of the British flag, and thus incor- j

■ ■• ■ i •■ porate them an the Empire. The inhabitants of the different islands -were thoroughly willing to become subjects of her Majesty, and Lord Ranfurly therefore annexed tnem to Great Britain. The Hon C. Hill Trevor was unable to say what is the exact relation 'between New Zealand and these islands. "I have not seen what has been done in the colony since we left," he said; "the islands were annexed to Great Britain, not to New Zealand, and I cannot tell you what may ultimately be determined upon with regard to their government." Of their value as British possessions, he entertains a very high opinion. No attempt at systematic cultivation has yet been, made. "The natives themselves," said he, "are lethargio to a degree. A strip of cloth wound round the waist satisfies them dn' the matter of dress, and they can get enough food to live on without exerting themselves to any extent. jThey never do more than scratch the surface of the ao\l." The prolific growt>h of cocpanut palms, and other tropical fruits, enables the inhabitants to live a life of ease. The enervating climate makes them averse to any exertion, and as long as they are the only inhabitants, the fertility of the islands will never be put tb much advantage. The number of white residents! is at present only small, one island which was visited containing only the missionary and his family as representatives of the white races. But with very little trouble these new possessions could easily he made the tropical garden of New Zealand, and would yield an abundant supply of fruits which cannot be grown with any success even in the warm climate of Auckland. It is this fruit trade that will constitute the chief value of liaratonga and the other members of the Cook Group. In time they will .also probably develop into a favourite tourist resort for the winter months. The Hon C. Hill Trevor spoke warmly in admiration of the picturesque scenery which Lord Ranfurly s party witnessed during their cruise. . The last island at whioh the Mildura called was Tonga. Her visit there had nothing to^ do with annexation, but was purely of a private nature, for the purpose of coaling. From there she had a most enjoyable passage back to the New Zealand coast, and arrived at Lyttelton yesterday, to enable the Governor to be present at the festivities in connection with the Carnival Week in Christchurqh.