Young Chieftainess

Returns Home

From Our Own Corresnondent

Rarotonga, Sept. 12.

RAROTONGA recently welcomed an interesting home-comer—Miss Terito Pa Ariki. hereditary chieftainess of the historic Ngatangiia district, which is the landing-place of the first Polynesian discoverers of these islands.

Terito is the sole survivor of her line.

Both her parents died at an early age, and as a very young child she was adopted by the Makea family. When she was 11 she went to New Zealand as ward of the present Ariki Nui, Mrs. Takau Rio- Love.

She first attended the Public School at Petone and completed her education at Hukarere College, Napier, after which she was employed on the staff'of the Native Land Court.

Two days after her arrival back in Rarotonga the charming young “queen,” as Rarotonga’s two chieftainesses are popularly termed, celebrated her 21st birthday at her home settlement. At her coming-of-age ceremony she was legally returned to her own clan, but she will continue to reside in Avarua at the home of her former guardian.

The Rev. John Bodger, who has been on a lecture tour in Canada, expects soon to return to Dogura, Papua.