Queen Meets Territorians

At Canberra

Formal Ceremony Under Grey Skies

From Our Special Reporter

Canberra, Feb. 15.

rE functions attending the Queen’s reception of the Territorians actually began on Friday, the 12th, when all the Delegates gathered for a rehearsal of the Territories function. That evening, Territories Secretary Lam bert entertained all the Delegates at a reception.

On the Saturday, a few Terri tories’ delegates went to the official welcome at Civic Centre and got their first glimpse of the Queen and Duke; but, due to muddle, no place was reserved for them offici ally.

So far, this was entirely a Can berra set-up. But this, Monday morning, the Territorians came into their own.

The Territorians were in four groups, representing Northern Ter ritory, Norfolk Island, Papua-New Guinea and Nauru, and delegates were presented in that order. Papua and New Guinea were represented as follows: Special Delegation of 12—9 Euro peans, 2 Natives, 1 Chinese.

From the Australian Navy at Manus—2 officers and 20 native seamen.

P-NG Volunteer Rifles—l officer and 12 other ranks.

Pacific Islands Regiment 3 officers, 100 native soldiers and a Pipe Band of 28.

Papuan officer, 20 native police and the Police Band.

New Guinea Delegation

t Administrator. BRIGADIER CLE

Land. And Mrs. Cleland.

Representing- Papua

Bishop P. N. W. Strong

Mrs, Myra Humphries

Mr. E. A. James, Mlc

Mr. E. J. Frame.

Representing New Guinea

Mrs. Doris Booth. Mlc

Mr. D. Barrett, Mlc

Mr. James Leahy.

Mr. Paul Mason.

Native Representatives

Mr. Simogun, Mlc

Mr. Willie Gavera.

Representing the Chinese Community

Mr. Gabriel Achun.

Norfolk Is. Delegation

Brigadier C. H. B. Norman (Ad

ministrator) and MRS. NORMAN

Mr. H. S. Christian.

Mr. P. Adams.

Nauru Delegation

Mr. J. K. Lawrence (Acting Ad

ministrator) and MRS. LAWRENCE

Mr. Raymond Gad Abu

Mr. Austin Bernicke.

PREPARATIONS for “Territories Day” began early this morn ing. The various Delegations and Services parties were drawn up on the lawns before Govern ment House; and at 10.35 a.m. the Minister for Territories (Mr. Paul Hasluck) escorted Her Majesty, the Duke, and the Royal Party onto the dais.

At the Queen’s left were seated the Federal Ministers and their wives;, at her right, the Diplomatic Corps. The Territorians were seated behind the dais.

Although the delegates were pre sented without their wives, some wives were present on this occasion as onlookers, seated behind dele gates. They will not attend any other functions: and some delegates may not attend the ball for this reason. Their wives have had to make their own accommodation arrangements.

Accompanied by Major Bishop, of the Pacific Islands Regiment, the Queen and Duke inspected the P-NG Police and Servicemen, who made a very fine show —their bear ing, appearance and drill were

Guardsman-perfect.

When the Royal Party returned to the dais, the delegates had fm’med a queue, and the presenta tions began. The Queen only occasionally spoke to a delegate but the Duke frequently—which caused frequent hold-ups between the Queen and Duke.

The P-NG people were presented m this order; Brigadier and Mrs.

Cleland, Mr. Barrett, Mrs. Booth, Mr. James, Mr. Simogun, Bishop Strong, Mr. Frame, Mrs. Humphries, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Mason, Mr. Achun, and Mr. Gavera.

Mr. C. R. Lambert, Permanent Head of the Department of Terri tories, and Mrs. Lambert, were also presented.

The Duke talked at length to Paul Mason, and spoke also to Simogun; but, judging by the( Duke’s ex pression, the latter conversation was not very enlightening. Simogun speaks only pidgin.

WHILE the Administrator of NT, Mr. Wise, gave an address of loyalty, the microphone did not function and what he said could only be guessed at—but, whatever was, it was exceedingly brief.

The first few words of the Queen’s reply were also lost.

Mr. Hasluck then presented to Her Majesty an album of 50 photo graphs, and maps of the Terri tories richly bound and inscribed, and contained in a case of beautiful wood, with handles of Bulolo gold.

The table on which it rested was

made of selected NG timbers, with, a map of the Territory, in inlaid wood, on top. This could not be accepted as a Royal gift and it remained behind on the dais after an equerry had borne off the album.

The only cheers to shatter the dignified silence then came from the NG troops. The Queen then moved off to Government House.

The Queen wore a grey shantung frock, with matching gloves and hat—they all toned with the sodden morning.

Reporters then descended on the Territorians—and particularly on Mrs. Doris Booth, whom women re porters evidently regarded as “top feature material.” Mrs. Booth said she was still walking on air: The Queen had spoken to her.

Generally, it was a stiff and very formal occasion, but the Territorians seemed content.

IN the afternoon, a 3-hours’ down pour stopped just before the Queen arrived in her magnificent Coronation gown to open Parliament.

Mr. James, Mr. Barrett, Mrs.

Booth and Mr. Simogun were ad mitted to the Senate for the event.

Mr. Simogun arrived after the Queen, but apparently was allowed in as an act of grace.

Later, all four had official seats for the review of 4,500 troops. The weather was a sartorial disaster for i most of those present.

The review of the troops was the most stirring spectacle of the day. ' A marvellous reception of the New I Guinea troops was given by the j crowd, obviously pleasing to the smiling Mr. Hasluck, who stood in ! the rain to watch.

All the members of the Dele-1 gation will attend other official i functions tomorrow and Wednes day—and all of the P-NG repre- i sentatives will see the presentation of Colours at Duntroon, and attend the Garden Party at Government House on Wednesday afternoon.

The Native Police Band played i at the Territorial function at j Government House this morning.

It is booked for a full programme i of engagements in Sydney prior to j leaving Australia for the Terri- j tory. The Police Band probably, will travel aboard HMAS Australia when it escorts the Royal Yacht!

Gothic to Cairns in March.

The Australia will sail for Manus j and the Papua and New Guinea i Naval Contingent will travel on her.

The Department has planned a full recreation programme for all 1 Territory native people in Canberra for the Queen’s Visit. This includes a cricket match, special picture shows, swimming parties, visits to one of the largest sheep stations in the district, etc. The YMCA at Canberra has set aside its Club Rooms for their exclusive use dur ing • the evenings. (More on p. 142.)