Royal Visit to Fiji and Tonga

Tonga in Outline

Dec. 17 (Thurs.) — Gothic anchor at 8 a.m .in Suva Harbour. Quei Elizabeth and the Duke of Edii burgh went ashore an hour lab; and entered upon a very full pn gramme (see details in Novemb PIM), which kept them engage until 11.30 p.m. They slej aboard Gothic.

Dec. 18—After a ceremony in t: Legislative Council, the Ros couple went by flyingboat Lautoka, where they spent aj other full day of ceremonies ai entertainment. They slept aga aboard Gothic. (At this stage, the original pr gramme was altered . It had pr vided that, on the morning of So c urday, December 19, the Goth should leave for Tonga, where U Royal couple would disembark i Sunday morning, to spend a ft hours ashore with the Queen Tonga. But, in October, wh< Queen Elizabeth learned that h arrival on Sunday morning wow embarrass the Tongans —wK wished to celebrate the Roy couple’s arrival with tradition feasting and dancing, but were n luctant to engage in such mern making on the Sabbath — she n quested that the itinerary be altera Accordingly, on Saturday mornn the Queen and the Duke left ti Gothic and went by flyingboat Nukualofa, to which port the Gotl followed them.) Dec 19 (Sat.) —The Royal coun arrived by flyingboat in Nuku) lofa at noon, and were greeted the wharf by Queen Salote a s the Tongan leaders. There was colourful programme of cen monies and entertainment in ti afternoon when the Royal Pan was entertained at huge nativ style feast on malae, alongsr; palace; later, from a dais, thri watched dances, songs, welcoit ceremonies, presentations. Afte wards, Queen Elizabeth rested . palace, while Duke swam lagoon. In the evening there w i a dinner party and dance at ti home of the British Consul (M and Mrs. J. E. Windrum). Qu© Elizabeth’s party spent the nig? in the Royal Palace at Nuki alofa, especially prepared for ti occasion.

Dec. 20 —There were some furtH; ceremonies, but the Royal coup spent a quiet and restful day wv Queen Salote. In mid-afternoo they embarked on the Gothic : Auckland, NZ.