Levuka’s Historical Assets

Cession Pageant Suggested

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Oct. 16

C SESSION Day (October 10), the anni- J versary of the signing of the famous Deed oy which Ratu Cakobau and the high chiefs of Fiji handed over their islands to Queen Victoria, was as usual celebrated with a holiday this year.

In 1874 the Deed of Cession was signed at Nasova, Levuka, and the site of the ceremony is marked by a simple memorial.

Usually described to-day as a pleasant and picturesque backwater, the one-time capital of Fiji is being accused of failing to make proper use of one of its greatest assets —its historical associations. - It has been suggested that if Levuka took the matter in hand with careful and imaginative organisation, it could make Cession Day an occasion of vivid and dignified pageantry that would be unique in the South Pacific.

This suggestion has been made by a Fijian, and there is little doubt that Fijians throughout the Colony would support any move to commemorate the greatest landmark in Fijiar history. In recent years a number of Fijians have been hoping that somebody might hit on the idea of an authentic reconstruction and re-enactment of the Deed of Cession ceremony at the actual site.

If Levuka could be stirred to active in terest, it is said, Cession Day week-end (the public holiday is the nearest Monday to October 10) could be made an annual rallying-point and demonstration of the survival of the best in Fijian culture.

Few people can deny the value of the suggestions if only because of the racial mix-up which Fiji has become. If the Colony is ever to achieve any sense of history, the Deed of Cession is the only peg on which it can be hung.