From Polynesia

Loaded With Gifts From Polynesia

THE Maori party which visited Tonga for the Royal wedding in June, and subsequently visited the Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji, returned to the Dominion by air on July 2.

The party of thirteen members was headed by Princess Te Puea Herangi, and included the 15-year-old Princess Piki. daughter of King Koroko, of Ngarua wahia.

Princess Te Puea said that wherever they went during their three weeks’ trip they were entertained with feasts, songs and dances, and showered with gifts.

Eight cases of gifts which they could not carry in the Dakota will be shipped back by sea.

The ceremony with which they were greeted at every point made a deep im pression on the Maoris. Elaborate pre parations had been made for their visits.

On Aitutaki and Rarotonga, large wooden platforms had been built to carry the two princesses from one settlement to the next. When Princess Te Puea was asked to mount the platform she de clined and pointed to Princess Piki, ex plaining that, as the daughter of King Koroki, she had the right to the honour.

To atttend one ceremony, Princess Piki was carried about a mile and a half on the platform, which was borne on the shoulders of 20 Aitutakian warriors.

After her return to New Zealand, Princess Te Puea said that the expressions of appreciation received from Polynesian cousins indicated that the visit of the party had created much good will.

Members of the party paid their own travelling expenses, but the New Zealand Government made it possible for them to charter a Dakota aircraft.