Longer stay at Te Kao for Governor

Maoris want the GovernorGeneral, Sir Arthur Porritt, to spend about 31⁄4 hours at Te Kao so they can give him a welcome on similar lines to his predecessor, Sir Bernard Fergusson, the Mangonui County Council was told on Wednesday.

The county clerk, Mr. Mackintosh, said that the Rev. Kingi Ihaka had consulted him and the chairman, Cr. Srhoj, on an extended programme.

“We can leave the Te Kao arrangements to the Maori people themselves,” said Mr. Mackintosh, adding that Mr. Ihaka would see one of the vice-regal secretaries at Auckland and see if the arrival time could be changed.

“There is another complication in that the challenger must be chased by a member of the visiting party, but the GovernorGeneral will only be accompanied by an aide-de-camp, who cannot leave his side,” said Mr. Mackintosh.

“Perhaps one of the councillors could do the chasing,” he said.

The chairman, Cr. Srhoj, said it would be over to the vice-regal party to make the decision.

Mr. Mackintosh said that the proposal was for the party to stop at Waiharara School to meet the The Awanui Pony Club camp at Pukenui is into its second week.

Among the activities have been rides over the sandhills at Hukatere, rides along Houhora and East beaches, and swimming on the East and West coasts. Riding instruction has been given by Mrs. Jean West and Mrs. Heather Jones.

A gymkhana was arranged for the children and campers on Sunday, and that evening over 50 campers and local people enjoyed a camp fire and sing song; Mr. L. Brown and Mr. P. Shine entertained.

— January 28, 1969