ISLANDS CRUISE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1939, Page 7

ISLANDS CRUISE

-a LORD AND LADY GALWAY IN SUVA. By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 11.25 a.m.) SUVA, August 4. Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Galway arrived today, landing at 11.45 a.m.. and were met by the Colonial Secretary and received by a guard of honour of native troops from the Fiji defence force in colourful scarlet tunics and white stilus (skirts). Their Excellencies proceeded immediately to Government Houses, where they are the guests of the Governor. Sir Harry Luke. Officers of H.M.S. Achilles report that there was much hospitality in Pago Pago (American Samoa), where Lord and Lady Galway stayed with the Governor, Captain Hansen. On leaving Pago Pago impressive salutes were exchanged, the formation of the hills causing a triple echo. The guns of the Achilles answered the shore batteries. Pago Pago and Suva are the only places during the cruise where Lord Galway has been received as an honoured guest and not as an Administrator. He landed this morning dressed in morning clothes instead of a uniform. Lord and Lady Galway yesterday visited the Island of Bau. the ancient Fijian capital, where they were entertained with traditional native ceremony.

From the mainland, the visitors crossed to the island by a native canoe. They were received at Bau by Ratu Isireli Tawake, High Chief of the district. In the council house built on the site of an old heathen temple, ceremonial presentations made included a whale’s tooth, always presented to persons of rank, and a root of kava, followed by the ceremonial making and drinking of kava. In accordance with custom, a large presentation of food was made.

After a native luncheon, the visitors were entertained with native dancing. This morning Lord and Lady Galway left on a tour of Viti Levu, including visits to the Tavua goldfields as the guests of Mr E. G. Theodore, and Lautoka. They are to return to Suva on Monday.