Tonga, Samoa and Fiji
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
NZ Governor-General in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji
IN the course of his tour of the Pacific Islands, the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, took part in the cele bration of the King’s Birthday at Apia, at which there was a large gathering of Samoans and Europeans.
On arriving at Nukualofa, the capital of Tonga, on Friday, May 29, the Gov ernor-General wai met by Mr. A. L.
Armstrong, OBE, the British Agent and Consul. After meeting the Premier, the Hon. Mr. Aata, and other Tongan Minis ters, Sir Cyril called on Queen Salote.
The following day he visited the Tonga Defence Force, which is under the com mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Macleod, of the New Zealand Military Forces. In the evening he laid a wreath on the tomb of Prince Tugi, the Queen’s Con sort, and late Premier, who died last year.
The Vice-Regal party reached Western Samoa on Saturday, May 30, and the Governor-General was received by Mr.
A. C. Turnbull, the Acting Administrator, and representative citizens, including the two Fautua, Tamasese and Malietoa. He inspected a guard of honour from the Boys’ Brigade. Proceeding to Malua, Sir Cyril was welcomed by pastors from all over the Samoan group, who were attending the Fone Tele of the London Missionary Society. A visit was paid to Malifa school, where a large number of children were assembled.
After laying a wreath on the Apia war memorial, the Governor-General visited the Fone of Faipule (gathering of repre sentatives) at Mulinu’u, where senior Samoan officials were also assembled, and was welcomed with a Kava cere
mony. On the way to Vailima, the Ad ministrator’s residence, a wreath was laid on the monument to American and Brit ish sailors at Mulinu’u. An official din ner was given that evening.
After attending Divine service on Sun day, May 31, and visiting the Methodist Mission at Piula, an inspection of Gov ernment plantations was made in the afternoon.
The Samoan Local Defence Force pro vided a guard of honour when His Excel lency arrived for the King’s Birthday ceremony. At the conclusion of his address, speeches were given by the Hon.
O. F. Nelson and Tamasese.
The Vice-Regal party on June 1 left Western Samoa for American Samoa, where, at Pago Pago, Sir Cyril was the guest of the Military Governor.
The following day the Governor- General departed for Suva, crossing the date line on the way, and arriving there on Wednesday. His Excellency subse quently visited the Colonial War Memo rial Hospital in Suva, and on Thursday evening he went to the New Zealand Club, which has been erected by the National Patriotic Fund Board for the use of members of the forces. —“NZ Herald”.
Mrs. Hannah Nicols, wife of Captain W. died on Lord Howe Island a short time ago, at the age of 86. She was laid to rest at Ned’s Beach ceme tery. Mrs. Nicols arrived on LHI in 1872; she was the last person on the island who originally crossed to Lord Howe from Australia in the islanders’ ketch, “Sylph”, which was lost without trace on her way to Sydney in April, 1873, with several passengers and a cargo of onions.