A Fijian Canoe For

Tonga

By E. M. Fry

IT was in 1865 that the late King George 11. of Tonga went to Fiji with a fleet of 32 canoes as far as Gau Island before joining forces with Cakobau. Re cently, like a tiny phantom out of the warring past, but in reality proving to be a peaceable echo of the Methodist Centenary Celebrations held in the Fijian Group in October last, a dark ob ject with a mat sail was seen, far out against the tropical tints of an evening sky, to be rapidly approaching this same island.

Curiosity grew keen as the stranger glided into the bay and anchored close to the shore near the Sawaieke village.

Inspection proved the little craft to be an 18ft. drua (as the Fijians call their twin-canoes), decorated with magi-magi designs, the chiefly bull , and other shells.

A small shelter had been erected on the platform between the two boats, pre sumably for the accommodation of its three adventurous navigators. Later, when the natives landed, it was learnt that they had sailed from Lakemba, their home town, via Vanuavatu, Moala, to Sawaieke en route to Suva, by way of the Rewa River, there to await em barkation for Tonga.

Hewn out of Fijian hardwood (vesi) by request of Her Majesty Queen Salote of Tonga (who very suitably graced the Methodist Centenary proceedings last year with her presence), the crew who are also the builders have been royally commanded to accompany the now com pleted gift to its destination, where, ac cording to anticipation, they are to be guests of honour whilst instructing one of her sons in the art of sailing’a Fijian canoe.

It is a well known fact, however, that the ancient Tongans taught the Fijians how to build canoes. The latter, rapidly out-classing their instructors, subse quently became known as the best canoe

builders in the South Pacific. This may. of course, have been due largely to the fact that the Tongans had only soft wood for their use, whereas the Fijians were able to choose a lasting hard wood from the vast supplies of vesi then to be found in the Group. History records that the largest of these ancient canoes (118 ft. in length, with a platform width of 24ft.) was built at Somo Somo, Taveuni.

Now, 72 years later, a comparative model in canoe building has covered in picturesque and ancient fashion its leisurely way over a small portion of the same route taken by its giant predeces sors. This gift must further cement the friendship and goodwill between the once combative races. Brought together in the interests of Christianity and civilized progress, this little episode of cause and effect will no doubt have a happy ending in the beautiful kingdom of the only reigning monarch in the Southern Hemisphere, the good Queen Salote.