PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1920, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

I AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION]

INTERESTING DETAILS. SUVA, April 21

Tin's morning His Royal Highness bestowed an accolade on Sir Cecil Bodwell (Governor of Fiji). The matter was arranged as a surprise for Sir Cecil, who recently received a K.C.M.G. , [The bestowal of an accolade is a ceremony or salutation used to mark the conferring of >i knighthood, con- . sisting in an embrace, a kiss, or, now usually, a slight blow on the shoulders with the flat blade of a sword.J In the afternoon, after attending a war dance of Fijians, the Prince went out in a motor with the Governor and Captain Joske (the Governor’s nide-de- . camp), leaving his own staff behind. They were piloted by Captain Ellis (President of the Returned Soldiers’ I Association). |

The Prince drove through the bush to the furthest point practicable on the road. He then alighted and walked with the Governor and Captain Joske for two miles to the native village of Tamavua. In Fijian social life a household is a unit of civilisation, a viliage consisting of a number of households under the general supervision of a headman. The headman of Tamavua was absent on the occasion of the Prince’s visit, but the Prince entered the native

houses, built of’ woven reeds with thatched roofs. The people came out and recognised the Governor and Captain Joske. The Prince was greatly interested, and as they crowded round and closely inspected him, he tried to say to them a few words in the Fijian language that he had picked up, ending with “ samothie,” meaning “ good

night.” ,ii Ho remarked afterwards that he had greatly enjoyed his first glimpse ot the real domestic life of the I ijians.