Coronation

Expected To

Boost Tourism

From a Nukualofa correspondent The big “Heart of Polynesia tourist conference to begin i Apia on May 29, which is aime at finding ways of attracting visi tors into the Polynesian triangl of Western and American Samo and Tonga, is proof that this pai of the world is taking tourisr seriously at last.

THE details of the conference wer given in PIM in March (p. 121] The Heart of Polynesia Conferenc is designed to prove to the masse that authentic Polynesians don’t a come from over-publicised Tahiti.

Certainly there is no doubt tha there is a new consciousness o tourism in the kingdom of Tonga Tourism is a much discussed subjeci Work on the new deepwater whar at Nukualofa is progressing and soo: modern ships will be able to com alongside instead of being anchored i: the stream with passengers bein lightered ashore, and subjected to a: occasional drenching.

Most local Tongans are aware tha the new wharf will mean a steppin up in the cottage industry business with still more souvenirs, shells, hats shoes, baskets, maps and tapa bein required.

This will suit the local residents who now await the arrival of cruis* ships to make their own purchases ii the malae, since on boat days th selection of native ware is far greate and the price cheaper than on ordi nary days.

But the biggest publicity splurg< for Tonga will not come from th( Heart of Polynesia Conference bu from something much nearer homt and dearer to Tongan hearts—th< coronation of King Taufa’ahau 01 July 4.

At the end of April this broac outline of the coronation programme was released in Nukualofa, and give; visitors an idea of what to expect: JULY 4: Morning; Coronatior service Royal Chapel. Evening: Choir festival, and Tupakapakanava

remony (thousands of flaming rches outside the palace).

JULY 5: Afternoon: Royal Feast id dancing festival. Evening: Brass md concert, and Tupakapakanava.

JULY 6: Tongan Traditional Dronation, and the Taumafakava, or 3yal Kava Ceremony—all day.

'ening: Tupakapakanava.

JULY 7; Afternoon: Royal Feast d dancing festival. Evening: ipakapakanava.

JULY 8: Morning: Yacht Regatta. r ternoon: First of three Rugby ;sts between Tonga and Fiji.

JULY 9: Morning; Combined lanksgiving Service.

UESTERN SAMOA’S annual in » dependence celebrations, to be Id this year from June 1-3 promise be the brightest since they were 5t held in 1962, PIM correspondent F. Rankin reports. He adds: “The Thursday, Friday and Satur y have as usual been declared blic holidays. The celebrations will irt with a parade from town to ulinuu for the flag raising cere- Dny. This will be followed in the ernoon by traditional singing and ncing competitions.

“Friday will see the annual regatta th its spectacular racing of long

boats carrying up to 46 oarsmen.

Following the regatta there will be a parade of decorated floats through Apia. This will be sponsored by Retzlaffs Samoan Tour and Travel Co.

“Friday afternoon and Saturday will be taken up by activities by the Sports Federation, the Turf Club, the Rugby Union and the Tennis Associa tion. In addition, over the three days there will be arranged a display of Samoan artifacts, an agricultural dis play and an art display by local artists who have reached a surprisingly high standard under instructor Fr. George.”

FOR the first time in many years, through passengers were not allowed ashore when the Tofua called at Niue in March. The weather was too rough. The weather, however, was not bad enough to stop cargo opera tions, but it would have made landing conditions for passengers difficult.

The sellers of baskets and hats and fans, and other Niue woven ware, who sell to passengers on boat day, had a disappointing day.

During the day, one of the launches used for towing lighters between the wharf and the ship went aeround on the reef and was badly damaged. Its keel was partly ripped off, it was holed and its rudder was bent.

Quiet Spot On Suva Cruise

Hundreds of tourists visiting Suva each month take advantage of Storck Cruises visit the main reef fringing Suva Harbour in glass bottom-boats, "Oolooloo" and [?]olala". On the way back to Suva a call is paid at Nukumarau Island, in Suva arbour's colourful Bay of Islands, for about an hour of swimming. An attendant eets the launches by beating a big lali (Fijian drum), shown in the foreground here, e "Oolooloo" and the "Oolala" are seen in the background. Storck Cruises have [?]ded another craft, a double-hulled launch called "Lagoonda", for their cruises.