Royal Visit To Pitcairn

From Our Own Correspondent

Cairns, Dec. 8.

NEWLY returned from eight months' tour of the world. Mr. J. M. Donatiu, cane farmer, of South Johnstone, N.

Queensland, has furnished an interesting account of the voyage across the Pacific Ocean, The departure of the “Rangitiki” from Sydney in February, 1947, was enlivened by enthusiastic scenes of farewell to the Duchess of Gloucester and her two royal sons, who were among the passengers.

From Sydney, the “Rangitiki” went straight to Pitcairn Island and the Pit cairn anchorage gave the shipboard pas sengers their first touch of exotic colour as the Pitcairners crowded around the ship in primitive craft offering fruit and curios for sale.

On Pitcairn, the natives are cut off from contact with the niceties of Court etiquette and address, but their loyalty is real, as they showed when the Duchess landed.

The whole population lined the fore shore, to welcome the wife of the brother of their reigning King, and they saluted her as she approached.

One of the island’s elders had a gift to offer. He handed the Duchess a walk ing-stick, with a simple request: “Please give this to your husband.” The humble gift was taken by the Duchess as if it were a priceless jewel.

It is expected that he will be con secrated in Auckland by the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop West-Watson, on February 2. Nine other Bishops will attend the ceremony.

The new Bishop of Melanesia was born in Derbyshire, England, and received his theological training at St. Chad’s College, University of Durham, where he gradu ated in 1922.. He was ordained a Deacon in the same year, and a priest in 1923.

His first curacy was at St. Dunstans, Earle Road, Liverpool, from 1922 to 1929.

He then joined the Melanesian Mission and in the years between 1929 and 1936 learned to know the Solomons well.

In 1933 he married Miss Guylee, then one of the Mission’s nursing sisters at Fauabu Hospital, Malaita. The couple were well-liked and respected by the residents of Tulagi and Gavutu, who saw much of them.

Dean Caulton left the mission in 1937, when he went to New Zealand as the Vicar of Whakatane. Subsequently, he became Vicar of Onehunga, Auckland, and in 1946 was appointed Dean of St.

Mary’s, Auckland.

It is expected that he will make a quick visit to the Solomons after his consecra tion, but will not make it his permanent headquarters until after he has been to the Lambeth Conference of bishops, which commences in London in July, 1943.

Mrs. Caulton.