The National Anthem

• Winner of the Solomon Islands’ national anthem com

petition is 49-year-old, Mr

Panabasa Balekana, choir mas ter for the United Church in Honiara.

His entry, “ God Save our Solomons”, was chosen by the Council of Ministers from 38 submitted. Also on the final short list of three were “ All Round Long Solomons”, writ ten by Jack Aebata, and “United We Stand”, by John son Olisukulu and Francis Saemala.

The words of the winning entry are: God save our Solomon Islands from shore to shore.

Bless all her people and her land with Your protecting hands.

Joy, Peace, Progress and

Prosperity.

That men should brothers be.

Make Nations see.

Our Solomon Islands, Our Solomon Islands, Our Nation Solomon Islands Reign for evermore. ”

Mr Balekana won $250 for the music and $250 for the words. He has announced that he will give one of the prizes to the United Church, in recog nition of the help given him by the church choir. The other prize he will contribute towards the building of a new church in his village in Kadavu, Fiji, where he was born.

Mr Balekana was awarded the MBE in January, 1976. He

is honorary superintendent of

the Solomon Islands Special

Constabulary.

A resident of the Solomons for 25 years, he is said to be

seriously considering applying

for citizenship.