Honoured by Fijians

Guadalcanal Veterans Honoured by Fijians

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Dec. 9.

AT dusk on November 12, in a picturesque setting in a native village on an island base, “somewhere in the Pacific,” the American division which drove the Japs off Guadalcanal last year, were entertained at a Kava ceremony by Fijians; and, later, the Whale’s Tooth (Tabua), symbol of honour and respect, was presented to Colonel Joseph K. Bush.

Lieutenant Cakubau, of the Fiji Military Forces, acted as interpreter.

This Division has adopted the com posite name “Americal” (America-Cale donia) and has been longer in the Pacific than any other US division. They arrived in New Caledonia on March 12, 1942, and were trained in jungle fighting by 400 Australian veterans of Greece and Crete.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Colonel Bush, through Lieutenant Caku bau, thanked the Fijians for the honour done him and for their gifts of fruit. He said the soldiers would never forget the friendship of the Fijians and the many kindnesses they had done them.

Mr. J. B. Wright, Treasurer of the Cook Islands Administration at Raro tonga, is a well-known public servant in NZ’s island territories. He and his wife and family recently left on furlough, part of which will be spent visiting his wife’s family in Western Samoa.

Mr. Max. Pool and Mrs. Pool-van Cleeff arrived in Melbourne in November, with their son, Erik. Mr. Pool, who has been an importer and exporter in Tahiti for six years, intends to work in Australia for the Netherlands cause. Their eldest son, Fred., is already serving with the Royal Netherlands Navy.