Hebrides Condominium
pp. 36-38 · Read in the full issue
Much Eclat But
Little Publicity
Jubilee Of The New Hebrides Condominium
ALTHOUGH the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the new Hebrides Anglo-French Con domium was celebrated with con siderable eclat in Port Vila on October 20-21 and in Santo on October 22-23 and persons of high official distinction were present, the event attained very little publicity in overseas newspapers and radio broadcasts.
The reason probably was that although the Governments con cerned made extensive preparations for the entertainment of the dis tinguished visitors, little provision— if any—was made for the accom modation of reporters. The proceed ings, therefore, went unsung and, to a degree unhonoured.
Distinguished visitors included the Governor of Fiji (Sir Ronald Garvey); the French and British High Commissioners for the Western Pacific; the Australian Minister for Territories (Mr. Paul Hasluck) ; the respective Resident Commissioners
(French and British), in the New Hebrides; and their staffs. They all travelled between Port Vila and Santo; and returned to Vila via Pentecost by the Messageries passenger liner Polynesie, specially
chartered for the occasion.
There were a series of cordial functions in Port Vila on October 20-21, and some notable sentiments were expressed, bearing upon the Entente Cordiale.
On October 20, a foundation stone of the new Cul tur a 1 Centre —a museum and library—was laid by High Com missioners Gutch (British) and Grimald (French); native villages were visited and a banquet and ball were held that night. On Sun day, 21st, religious services at the
Paton Memorial Church and t Roman Catholic Church.
Speeches were made by High Cor missioners Gutch and Grimald di ing the ceremonies at the propos< Cultural Centre; we have receiv.
Mr. John Gutch, HCWP, and M. Aime Grimald, French High[?] Commissioner, place a wreath on the war memorial.
at of the former’s speech but le latter’s.
Gutch read messages of goodrom the Queen and the Secre- >f State for the Colonies. In leech, Mr. Gutch spoke of the r relations that had always d between the French and the h in New Hebrides “in spite le occasional differences of n natural between friends and jrs.” /as noted that Mr. Gutch put emphasis on the fact that it is sed to establish an Advisory il for the New Hebrides which ive the Resident Commissionle “means of obtaining the t of local experience.”
meetings and Decorations
in Santo
ebndes, to commemorate the immmm’s 50th
ersary. Living > form, Santo ced rain during better part of lays. e Messageries Polynesia brought guished guests the capital, Port where they had n entertained. ? the VlP’s were overnors of Fiji New Caledonia, British High issioner from
the Solomons, Ministers and Senators from France, Australia and New Caledonia, with wives and staff—a total of about 30 visitors During the first day’s visit to Santo, the wives of the High Com missioners dashed the usual cham pagne bottles (not one, but two!) against a new bridge, naming it Pont du Cinquantenaire. Still far from completion, the bridge, which lazily stretches over the Sarakata River, has been in the making, off and on, for more than 2 years.
The laying of the foundation stone for the new French hospital was another highlight of the morn ing’s rounds.
Luncheon at the Santo Club fol lowed, with some 75 guests. At the repast’s end, both HC’s delivered speeches. One closed with references to the important work carried on by colonists.
So rarely are the land-plodders remembered that the minor few
planters at the luncheon became once again, more than proud of their pioneer forebears, without whose struggle and endurance New Hebrides would have stagnated Late in the afternoon a few French citizens assembled to wit ness distribution of decorations.
Those honoured were; Madame veuve Bidal; Messrs C Graziani, F. Rossi, J. Ratard, C.
Coulon and J-B. Douyere.
No reasons were given for these awards. So many deserving people were left out that it is assumed there were not enough medals to go round Our few remaining British planters were among the forgotten.
The VlP’s departed for their ship, to rest and change for the public ball at Daval’s cinema at 9 p.m. At half-time, Wallis Islanders put on knife dances and a couple of Tahitians performed their noted belly-dance. Our ex-cannibals were not included in the evening’s pro
Aime Grimald, Commissioner for [?]! in the Pacific, [?]s at the laying [?] foundation stone [?]e cultural centre [?]I seen in left [?]ound, and decora [?]arches in right [?]round).
[?]E BRITISH GET TOGETHER; A photograph taken at the British Residency cocktail party: Left to right, Mrs. Rennie; Mr. J S. Rennie, [?] Commissioner (Br.) of NH; Mrs. Hasluck; Mr. Paul Hasluck, Australian Minister for Territories; Lady Garvey; Sir Ronald Garvey, [?]r of Fiji; Mrs. Gutch; Mr. John Gutch, HCWP. Photos: Fung Kuei.
gramme, but sat and waL (from the cinema’s dress circle)! more “cultured” performances.
The second day’s events comp* native dances on Venue Is (BDA’s settlement), the public ing invited to bring its own hara and canoes.
Farewell cocktails for the vis at Santo Club ended the gramme. The VlP’s boarded.
Polynesie en route for Pento Island, to visit a few more nati On Saturday, October 20, a spi All Planters (British and Fret gathering took place at the Rati Aore home, where in true Coc minium style some 50 peo spent a happy time commemorr the Jubilee.