Eastern Samoa

Flag Raising

IN

Photographs above show (left) Governor Phelps Phelps and the Kava Ceremony.

APRIL 17th was a gala day in Pago Pago when the population celebrated the 52nd anniversary of the raising of the American Flag in Hastern Samoa. The re-introduction of this annual event was organised under the leadership of Governor Phelps Phelps, the Territories first civilian Governor since the withdrawal of the United States Naval Administration in 1951. Distinguished visitors from Western Samoa included the High Commissioner, Mr. G. R. Powles, and High Chiefs Tamasese and Malietoa.

The day’s events commenced with the arrival of Governor Phelps, his guests and officials at the reviewing stand. Then came the colourful Grand Parade, led by the Veterans’ brass band and the impressive Rais ing the Flag which was carried out by Mr. S. B. Gurr, son of Judge Gurr who had raised the Flag at the In auguration of American Adminis tration on April 17th 1900.

After the Kava ceremony, the day was given over to sports, competitions, canoe racing, dancing and feasting.

—Photographs by John Down.