ROYAL TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL TOUR.

THE .PRINCE AT SUVA. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. By Telegraph.—Press Asac.—Copyright. Suva, April 21. The Prince received an enthusiastic) welcome at Suva, which afforded extraordinary scenes of color, when the Prince was welcomed by the Governor, Sir Cecil rtodwellC The principal officials were presented and the Prince also inspected the stalwart labor battalions nf Fijians who served at Havre, Marseilles, and in other regions of Franco and Italy. Several Native members of the Legislative Council were also presented. Replying to the municipal address the Prince said: "I met many of your people serving in the Australian Corps, the New Zealand Division, the King's Rifle Corps, and the Fijian Labor Corps. No part of the Empire contributed more largely in proportion to its strength, both men and money, than Fiji. The King retains the happiest memories of his visit to Levuka" The demonstration was of a distinctly military character, returned soldiers e.vpressing their appreciation of the Prance by wildly cheering his every appearance. "-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

EXPRESSIONS OF LOYALTY. MANY RACES GATHERED. Received April 21, 5-5 p.m. Suva, April 21. The procedure at the Town Hall was an expression of loyalty, sincere and fervent, but loyalty in its best clothes of a rather formal cut. The next item on the programme was the Prince's visit to the Soldiers' Association. This was loyalty in its working uniform—spontaneous, exuberant, and unrestrained. The Prince spoke a few entirely unpremeditated words, thanking them for their welcome and expressing pleasure at seeing so many "diggers" among the assemblage. Be hoped to see a great many move in New 2ealand and Australia. Captain Ellis, President, of the Association, replied in a similar informal strain of genuine appreciation. Driving to Government House the. Prince was the central figure of a remarkable scene, in which the differe-.it racial elements co-operated in a demonstration of loyalty and affection, exby children. Standing on the steps of Government House, looking out on a scene of gorgeous tropical beauty, the Prince inspected military corps from various schools, including Europeans, Fijians, and Indians, and also bodies of school children of all colore gathered under the flag. After the Prince had inspected military detachments a Fijian youth stepped forward and spoke a welcoming loyal in his own language, followed by a Hindoo uttering similar sentiments of loyalty in Hindustani, Then came a young British boy, born in Fiji, named Lyndon Osborne, wearing a military uniform, and saluting briskly. He recited a short poem expressing'the joy of the native born in seeing the Prince arrive from the country of their hopes and dreams.—aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A PICTURESQUE FESTIVAL, RENOWN SAILS THIS MORNING. Received April -21, 10.50 p.m. Suva, April 21. For weeks past the Fijians have been busy preparing their ceremonial wardrobes ior the festivities in honor of the Prince, and the results were apparent to-day in the staggering magnificence of many hunuredis of brawny natives, who, having reluctaatly abandoned the warrior's profession, returned for one day to war paint with happy glee. The principal garment was a iong kilt composed vt innumerable s'trips of bark, stained vivid greens, purples, blues, and yellows. Thin, with pearl shells as neck ornaments, faces liberally plastered with ocre, hair dyed a light brown with lime, worn much fuzzed, produced striking rainbow eflects. The leading performwore, in addition, huge bundles of whito bark streamers over their lnpa, giving a crinoline effect.

The Prince, accompanied by the Governor of Fiji, Lady Rodwell, Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, and staff, occupied seats in a pavilion facing a large enclosure at Nasosva. The proceedings opened with a solemn presentation of an enormous kava root to the accompaniment of a whimsical dance and invocations. The kava driulc was prepared on the spot and presented with elaborate ritual ceremonies to the Prince in a cocoanut cup by a gigantic rainbowIwed warrior in crinoline, advancing between triple lines of the seated performers. The Prince drank the kava and threw the cup away, according to tlie prescribed custom, whereupon a concerted chorus of approval rose in the air. The Governor and members of the staff drank kava m similar fashion.

The ceremony of the presentation of th<; first fruits then followed, including the gift of a large heap of whales' teeth, which are very valuable, being practically the gold reserve of the country. Hundreds of native mats were also piled before the Prince as offerings, J-he Prince held an investiture, presenting decorations to several officers, and also to Native Chiefs. Ratu Pope, a white haired Chief, presented a loyal address in English, whereupon the great >var dance called Moke was given by about one thousand warriors, who went through all the fighting attitudes with war clubs. The warriors worked up excitement and threw themselves into the il.incp with primitive energy. The precision of this dance gave the Prince ft vi\id glimpse into the ancient customs of the Fijinns, now peaceful subjects 01,joying the security of British rule. A long line of white haired Chiefs were presented to the Prince, who shook hands and congratulated them. Among them was a picturesque old fellow, Bonitanoa, who formerly, as a powerful Roko, wa9 introduced to King George in 1881, when, he visited Levuka in the Bacchante. Bonitauoa afterwards fell on evil days and lost his high position. To-day, by virtue of his birth, he returned to bask once more for a brief moment in tht smiling recognition of British royalty. The huge throng of 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, Mr. 11. N. Scott, K.C., was the chief organiser of the welcoming ceremonies, which were wonderfully picturesque. The Renown sails at daylight,—Aus.JUS, Cable Ass%