Held Baby
p. 126 · Read in the full issue
Minister Almost Held Baby
DIPLOMATIC difficulties seemed to loom when, at a meeting of the Rarotongan Island Council on July 18, the NZ Minister of Island Territories (Mr. T. L.
Macdonald) was ceremonially offered a baby for adoption.
Tinomana Ariki, speaking through Patu Uritaua, said that he had a baby son a few days old —and would the Minister please accept the child to commemorate the Ministerial visit to Rarotonga?
There was little doubt that the Minister felt he was in a spot, so to speak. But all was cleared up
when the interpreter explained ths in accordance with Maori custoi it would be an honour for Tinomaii if the child were merely nami after the distinguished visitor.
Mr. Macdonald replied that it w\ he who was honoured by tl; gesture, and accordingly, on Ju 21, Tinomana registered his son Thomas Macdonald Tepai Tamato The Minister arrived at Aitutse on July 11, and the official pan travelled round the Cook Group the Charlotte Donald, arriving Rarotonga on July 16.
The Island Council meeting w; followed by a garden party at t; Residency.
The official party left for N«1 Zealand by plane on July 21.