in Rarotonga

Black Week For Pigs And

Chickens!

Maori Party Lavishly Entertained

in Rarotonga

Rarotonga, June 30

A LARGE crowd gathered at Rarotonga airport on June 21, to welcome the party of notable New Zealand Maoris who were taking the opportunity to visit the Cook Islands, after attending ' the royal wedding in Tonga.

The party was headed by Princess Te Puea Herangi, the grey-haired little lady who has done so much for the N 2 Maoris, and Princess Piki Koroki Mahutu, young daughter of the NZ Maori King Koroki.

Other members of the party numbered 14, including Mr. M. R. Jones, private secretary to the NZ Minister of 'Native Affairs. The visitors were greeted by Mr. W. Tailby (Resident Commissioner) and Mrs. Tailby, the Arikis and members of the Island Council. A team of Man ihiki Islanders performed welcoming drum-dances on the air-strip.

Travelling in cars to Avarua, the party was given an official reception on the verandah of the Administration building, with a public audience.

In his address, Mr. Tailby remarked that this occasion held particular interest in view of the fact that some of these people, visiting Rarotonga for the first time, undoubtedly were descendants of some of those great Polynesian naviga tors who sailed from Rarotonga to New Zealand centuries ago. They came back, not in sailing canoes, but in “Pia Rere” —the “flying ship.”

The party proceeded to the residences of Makea Nui Ariki and of Vakatini

Ariki. In the traditional manner ao corded to Polynesian royalty, Princess Piki Koroki Mahutu was' carried on a large decorated raft borne by many chanting “warriors”, wearing kilts of the sacred rauti leaves, while rauti-clad vahines lined the route. Princess Te Puea Herangi refused such transportation, in sisting that the honour be reserved for the daughter of the Maori king.

Thence forward, for a week, the visitors were ceaselessly entertained, with cere monial hospitality and presentations. It was a black week for Rarotonga pigs and chickens.

Territories' £2,573 for British

Flood Relief

THE people of New Guinea-Papua have raised no less than £2,573 for the British Flood Relief Fund, and al ready £1,500 of it is in the hands of the Lord Mayor of London.

Officials and members of three organi sations (Papuan Citizens Association, Public Service Association, and Returned Soldiers Association) combined for the drive for funds, and money was raised many ways. Raffles brought over £150; dance tickets, £418; and “Race” meetings —jolly affairs held on Ela Beach—nearly £BOO. Straight donations totalled £1,422.

The Papuan Citizens Association, formed some four months ago, has the following office-bearers: President, Mr. Tom Flower; vice-presidents, Messrs. Hurd (Commonwealth Bank), C. Cox (Bank of NSW) and E. A. James; secretary, Mr.

Norman White; Committee. Messrs. G.

Cadden, Roy Field, James Ellis, Reg Egin ton, lan McDonald, Mrs. S. E. Reilly, Mrs.

Burke, Miss Thwaites.