Prince Charles For Fiji Celebrations

Prince Charles is to visit Fiji for the four days of celebrations in October to mark the centenary of the signing of the Deed of Cession. He will arrive on October 8.

It was on October 10, 1874, that King Cakobau and the paramount chiefs of Fiji voluntarily and un conditionally ceded their islands to Queen Victoria, the Prince’s great great-grandmother. The decision fundamentally influenced life in the South Pacific Islands.

The signatories of the Deed of Cession agreed to establish good government, to promote Christianity, to spread education and to encourage commerce and industry.

To honour the occasion, the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, proclaimed that there should be cele brations to reflect the unique and continuing relationship between the United Kingdom and Fiji as an in dependent Dominion and member of the Commonwealth since October 10. 1970.

After a brief stop at Nadi, Prince Charles will fly to Suva where a wel come ceremony has been planned for the afternoon at Albert Park, opposite the Grand Pacific and Travelodge hotels. There will be a display of fire

works during the evening.

The programme for Wednesday, October 9 will be centred at Levuka, the original capital on the island of Ovalau where the Deed was signed; and the chiefly island of Bau, the home of King Cakobau—the forebear of the present Governor General— who handed over the islands.

On Thursday, October 10, which is a public holiday, celebrations are to be staged at all centres in Fiji, with the main activities planned for Suva. Daytime entertainment and sports activities will precede a Grand Island Night at Albert Park.

The Western Division of the main island welcomes Prince Charles on Friday, October 11, when he will visit Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Vatu koula.

prince Charles learned how to dance the [?]uiboto when he last visited Fiji, in February this year.