Farewell To Native

Minister

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Dec. 6.

AVARUA’S veteran “orometua” (minis ter), Vaika Ruariki, has retired, after over 20 years service his district. This was accomplished with all the Polynesian love of ceremonial.

Each “tapere,” or section, of Avarua provided a feast, culminating in a cere mony on December 1, when the new minister, Kamire Orometua, of Titikaveka district, was brought in state to his quar ters in Avarua, and Vaike duly retired to his newly-built country home at Pokoinu.

There were touching scenes when the old minister was finally farewelled by his flock, many of whom had known him as “orometua” for as long as they could remember.