PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1920, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

A: N.Z. t'Am.C ASSOCIATION]

SUVA’S WELCOME. SUVA, April 21

Correct fishing item.—The Prince shot a watersnake from the ship’s gangway. A brilliant light was lowered above the water causing a shoal of fish snakes to assemble.

The Prince landed at ten to-day in very hot weather and received an enthusiastic welcome. Suva afforded extraordinary scones, when the Prince was welcomed by the Governor, Sir Cecil Rod well. The principal officials wore presented. He also inspected stalwart labour battalions of Fijians who served at Havre, Marseilles and other regions in France and Italy. Several native members of the Legislative Council were also presented. Replying to a municipal address, the Prince said he had met many of your people serving in Australian corps, the New Zealand Division, King’s Rifle Corps and Fijian Labour Corps. He was particularly pleased to have seen so many returned sailors and soldiers. No part of the Empire contribution was more largely in proportion to the strength both in’men and money than Fiji. The King retained the happiest memories of liis visit to Levuka. The demonstration was of a distinctly military character, the returned soldiers expressing appreciation of the Prince by wildlv cheering every appearance. SUVA, April 21.

The precedure at the Town Hall was an expression of loyalty, sincere and fervent, hut loyalty in its best of rather formal cut. The next item on the programme was ho Prince’s visit to the. Soldiers’ Association. This was loyalty in working uniform, spontaneous, exuberant and unrestrained. The Prince spoke a few entirely unpremeditated words, thanking them for their welcome and expressing his pleasure at seeing so many Diggers among the assemblage. He hoped to see a greatmany more in New Zealand and Australia.

Captain Ellis, President of the Association, replied in a similar informal strain of genuine appreciation. Driving to the Government House the Prince was the central figure of a remarkable scene, in which the different racial elements co-operated in a demonstration of loyalty' and affection, expressed by the children standing on the steps of the Government House, looking out on the scene of gorgeous tropical beauty. The Prince inspected the military corps from various schools, including Europeans, Fijians and Indians, also bodies of school children of all colour gathered under the flag. The scene was bounded by a line of foam, showing the breakers- on the reef that forms Suva Harbour and the mountains enclosing the harbour on the right. Immense lawns clothed with vivid tropical verdure sloped down to the shore of the Pacific. The Government House being elevated it made an ideal scene for the spectacle. After the Prince had inspected 'the military detachments, a Fijian youth stepped forward and spoke a welcoming and loyal address in his own language, who was followed by a Hindoo uttering similar sentiments of loyalty in Hindustani. Then come a young British hoy, bom in Fiji, named Lynder Osborne, wcnrng a military uniform. Saluting briskly, he repeated a short poem, expressing the joy of a native born in seeing the Prince arrive from the country of their hopes and dreams. |

FURTHER PARTICULARS. SUVA, April 21. For weeks past the Fijians have been busy preparing ceremonial and wardrobes for festivities in honour of the Prince agd the results were apparent to-day in staggering magnificence. Many hundreds of brawny natives, who, having reluctantly abandoned the warriors’ profession, returned for one day to war paint with happy glee. The principal garment was a long kilt composed of innumerable strips of bark, stained vivid greens, purples, 'blues, and yololwfe. This was worn with pearlshell neck ornaments, faces liberally plastered with ochre, hair dyed light brown, with lime, worn much fuzzed, and produced striking rainbow effects. The leading performers wore in addition huge bundles of white bark streamers over their hips giving a crinoline effect.

The Prince, accompanied by the Governor of Fiji, also Lady Rodwell, Admiral Halsey, and Staff, occupied seats in a pavilion facing a large enclosure at Xasosva. Proceedings opened with a solemn presentation of an enormous Kava root to the accompaniment of a whimsical dance and invocations. Kava drink was prepared on tho spot, and was presented with an elaborate ritual and ceremonies to the Prince in a coconnut cup by a gigantic, rainbow hued warrior in crinoline advancing between triple lilies of seated performers. The Prince drank Kava and threw the cup away, according to tho prescribed custom, whereupon a concerted chorus of approval rose in the air. The Governor and members of the staff drank Kava in similar 'fashion. The ceremony of the presentation of first fruits then followed, including a gift of a largo heap of whale’s teeth which are ylcry valuable, being practically the gold reserve of the country. A hundred native mats were also piled l>efore the Prince as offerings. The Prince held an investiture, presenting decorations to several officers and native chiefs. Ratu Pope, a white-haired chief, pre- | sented a loyal address in English, whereupon a great war dance, called “moke” was given by about one thousand warriors, who wont through all the fighting attitudes with war clubs. Tho warriors worked up excitement, throw themselves into the dance with primitive energy. Tho precision of this dance gave the Prince a vivid glimpse into the ancient customs of Fijians, who now are peaceful subjects enjoying the seemrity of British rule. A long lino of white haired chiefs wei'e presented to the Prinep who shook hands and congratulated them. Among them was a picturesque old fellow, named Benitnuon, who formerly, as the powerful Boko, was introduced to George in 1881.- when he visited Levukn in the Bachante. Benitnuoa afterwards fell on evil days and lost his high position. To-day, by vituo of his birth, he returned to bask once more for a brief moment in the, smiling reeognition tof British royalty. A huge throng of

excited Fijians melted away with hoarse cheers for the departing Prince, who attends a ball to-night at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The Mayor of Suva (H. N. Scott, K.C.) was the chief organiser of the welcoming ceremonies which were wonderfully picturesque. The Renown sails at daybreak.