Queen Salute's Return To
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Tonga
From Our Own Correspondent
Nukualofa, April 6.
WHEN the inter-island motor vessel “Matua” steamed up the harbour early this morning, the Royal Stan dard of Tonga was flying from her mast.
Queen Salote was on board as a passenger from New Zealand, where she had been on a health trip since last November.
A large crowd assembled at the water front to welcome their Queen. Crown Prince Tupouto’a-Tungi and Prince Tu’i Pelehake, with the Premier and Minister of the Crown, went to the wharf, where a guard of honour was provided by the Royal Guards and the Government Col lege band. A royal salute of 21 guns greeted the Queen when she stepped off the ship’s gangway to the wharf and the band struck up the Tongan national an them.
After the official welcome, the Queen drove from the wharf to the Palace through enthusiastic crowds and students from the various colleges and schools who flanked both sides of the royal route from the pier to the Palace gates.
Girl students showered the royal car with flower posies.
Judging from the Queen's appearance, the long rest had been of great benefit to her.
American fountain pens (nothing special) averaged £6 each at a Suva sale of Customs seized goods on April 10, and an unspectacular pen-and-pencil set went at £l2. Women’s wristlet watches were £lO and up.