RENOWN AT SUVA

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1927, Page 1

RENOWN AT SUVA

FIJIANS’ WELCOME

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SUVA, February 17. Punctual as usual, IT.M.S. Renown anchored in the picturesque harbour ol Suva at two o’clock this afternoon. She was escorted thereto by three or four typical Sydney dinghies and motor boats, and there was also a whole fleet of native catamarans, their brown.mat sails swelling to a favouring breeze. Their crews were waving and cheering in emulation of the Europeans aboard the more civilised craft. From the sea, Suva was looking most attractive, rising from the harbour with its red roofs peeping about tropical foliage. Til the harbour, f ,tho ships were dressed for the occasion, but the Renown neither dressed ship, nor saluted. She moved to her anchorage with the same effortless expedition as

ever. As soon as the Renown anchored, the Governor, Sir George Hutson, and the Colonial Secretary, Mr Seymour, went on board. They were received with a full guard, and all due iormnlity. Earl Cavan welcomed them on behalf ol the Duke of York. The Duke and Duchess landed at three o’clock and they received a tumultuous welcome from the crowds gathered on the wharf, where a landing staee was placed. r lbe Duke and Duchess were received by the Governor, lhe Mayor, the Chief Justice, the members of the Executive Council, and other dignitaries. .They then proceeded to Government House to inspect the school children. Thereafter they went to a civic reception at tlio Town Hall. In the afternoon there was tea, a native reception, and the. presentation of addresses at Albert Park. The native address expressed thanks for the visit of tlio loyal representative of a mighty nation. They were especially grateful to the visitors for turning aside to view these small islands. The visit would remain a living memory. as were the visits of the King and Prince of Wales. They were grateful for the presence of the Duchess as the representative of Scotland, which had given Fiji many sons to govern and lead. They were pleased to see the Renown again, being as the symbol ot the invincible fleet guarding the Empire and ensuring peace. They gave an assurance that the form of Government established by Britain alter cession of the islands was deeply appreciated, tiiy benign rule preserving their interests and privileges, and having increased their knowledge and wealth. They prayed the Duke of York to convey to the King their assurance of unswerving loyalty, and thanks for .sympathetic Government. They prayed for the prosperity, happiness and long life of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Duke of York expressed thanks, on behalf of the Duchess and himself, and said that be would not fail to convey to bis father their message <>l loyalty and gratitude. The Duchess, lie said, had been especially touched hv the reference to Scotland. He rejoiced to bear the memory of tlio visits ol the King and Prince of Wales was still fresh. They had fold of the happy times they spent in Fiji and of their loyal reception. The welfare of the native subjects in all the Dominions was ever near to the heart of the King, and all of the King’s bouse. Ho continued: “Continue to work with those whom the King sets over you to guard your interests, and all will be well for you and your descendants! I pray you will continue to flourish and prosper! ” The municipality tendered a welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York with an assurance of loyalty. The address referred to the King’s visit in 1881, and to the Prince of Wales’s visit in 1920. and acknowledged the further honour of the Duke and Duchess ol York’s visit to the colony, from which it was hoped they would carry away happy recollections. ’Pile Duke of York replying, sincerely thanked the municipality for its expressions of loyalty. Tie deeply appreciated the welcome, and it was a pleasure to renew the personal ties ol friendship established in the past by his father and brother, who retained the happiest memories of the times they spent in Fiji. “We are looking forward.” he said, “to repeating these delightful experiences, and we feel that such a visit will not fail to knit closer the bonds between the Mother Country and the distant portions of the Empire.” which he assured them, were not forgotten at Home. “We realise to the full that the Empire is our greatest heritage, something infinitely precious which we hold in trust from our forefathers for our children. Me know, too. that if we are to keep that heritage. it is our duty to learn and understand to help each other. ’I hen. united under one flag, owing allegiance to one sovereign, we may, by eo-operatiug, prove worthy of tlio great trust handed down to us.” He concluded by cordially wishing happiness and prosperity to all.

QUAINT CEREMONIES. SUVA. February 17. Many picturesque incidents happened during the Royal visit ashore this afternoon. Ex-service men wore presented before a guard of honour furnished by sturdy Fijians, moving with the precision of a line regiment, who, after being inspected, marched through the streets accompanied bv admiring crowds of gaily clad natives and Indians. The school children assembled in the grounds of Government House making a brave show of colours ranging from deep black to the white Europeans, hut nil displaying the same enthusiasm in their cheers in honour of the Duke and Duchess of York, who begged a whole holidnv for them.

The Duchess was presented with flaming bouquets of ixora from hoth native and white tots, who were duly impressed hy the gravity of the occasion.

The native ceremonial was most interesting. Fijians attach the greatest importance to their various rites, and treat all with most becoming solemnity. A colourful scene greeted the royalties on arrival at the Recreation Ground, where there was a large gathering of chiefs and cheftainesses, elad in all the pagan finery, tappa cloth, whales’ teeth, and garlands qiid girdles of leaves and flowers, all seated on the ground .The first ceremony was the presentation of a whale’s tooth, the

“Tnmbua.” to the Duke as a symbol of homage and affection. The announcement of the acceptance was received with a low-voiced chant from the seated cheftains. Then the women, approaching slowly in two long lines, gracefully walking, poured water from the prow of a canoe, indicating the arrival of the Duchess from the sea. and placing the Tambua ’' thereon. This ceremony is seldom performed. The presentation of the “yaquona” or lrava root, and the long imposing cere-

moiiy of kava making, following, at which the Duke and Duchess and several members of their stall' had to partake of the drink, winch evidently was not always done with unmixed satisfaction. This was a culminating ceremony in acts of homage, and the people clustered behind the howl wherein the liquor was made, and maintained a chant throughout. At the termination of ibis solemn ceremony, which was punctuated by many cries of appreciation and soft handelapping, an address of welcome was read by the oldest chief, after which another presented the whale’s tooth, and expressed the pleasure that the Duke and Duchess of Yorks’ visit had given the people. The presentation of many splendid examples of native craftsmanship concluded the ceremonial. The Duke and Duchess of Yorkdined with the Governor in the evening. afterwards attending a reception and ball in the Pacific Hotel.