Fiji's New Governor
pp. 33-34 · Read in the full issue
"Drunk In"
Native Kava Ceremony
THE new Governor of Fiji, Mr. A. W.
G. H. Grantham, was welcomed in traditional fashion by representa tives of the Fijian people, on January 9.
The usual ceremonies were performed, but the central feature was the drinking by the Governor of a cup of ceremonially prepared yaqona (kava). Traditionally, this “drinking in” is an essential part of the ceremony of installing a Fijian Chief* and from the time of the cession of the Colony to Queen Victoria in 1874, it has been performed for successive Governors. It is a symbol of the renewal of the pledge of loyalty to the British Crown first given by the Chiefs of Fiji when the Deed of Cession was signed.
Mr. Albert Drysdale, formerly leader of the Unevangelised Fields Mission in the Western Division of Papua, has been reported POW in Thailand.
The Hon. Mr. H. H. Ragg, MLC, to gether with Mrs. Ragg, is leaving Fiji shortly for New Zealand and Australia, on holiday.
Captain Ernest Hitchcock, well known in New Guinea from 1928 onwards, has been awarded the American Legion of Merit for his assistance to American forces in the Salamaua area. Before link ing up with the Americans he did work as a leader in the NGVR. He is a veteran of the last war and has now been retired from the Army but is wait ing in Melbourne for an American Red Cross appointment. His daughter Valerie is serving in the AAMWS.