ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 116, 17 May 1924, Page 14

ISLAND NEWS.

•-— 'OUR FIJI LETTER. AMERICAN INVASION. (From Our Own Correspondent., SUVA, April 30. Suva has enjoyed the thrill of an invasion, tin Saturday morning, just as the sun peered over the edge of the eastern hills above the capital, the loom of a huge liner appeared off to the southward. Gradually as she drew nearer and as the »un s rays became stronger, it was seen that she' had three immense funnels and many tiers of decks. As early risers turned from watching the approach of the steamer, they saw a fleet of native sailing canoes, (a very unusual sight in Suva harbour/ creeping out towards the main passage. Their large lateen sails made of matting looked very graceful as they caught the light morning breeze VVhen the liner, the ex-German Resolute, came through the passage, these canoes were there to welcome the visitor nnd to escort her up to the wharf. It had a touch of the old savage days, which appealed. Soon the liner was safely berthed, and the passengers were able to fraternise with the many local folks who were there to greet them. At S.::0, 7."> motor cars were tilled with the passengers, who' 6omprised a large party of American tourists from New York, including some five or six actual millionaires. For 2J hours they drove over all the beauty sights of the district. At 11 o'clock they returned on board, and then there was an invasion of Fijian natives, tinder the command of Rati) Pope. The scene on the upper deck was one never to be forgotten. At one o'clock on Sunday the huge liner steamed out through the passage, again escorted by the licet of native sailing canoes. A Travelling Novelist. Residents were surprised, on the arrival of the Panamanian auxilary schooner Monterey, from San Francisco via Vancouver and Tahiti, etc., to find that she carried a stewardess no less a personality than Mrs. Elinor Mordaunt, the well-known English novelist. It appeared that Mrs. Mordaunt, on a tour for local coluor, had arrived at Tahiti from Marseilles, and was anxious to visit the Samoan, Tongan and Fiiian frroups. and saw no way of accomplishing her itinerary, when her luck turned and the Monterey arrived. It did not take her long to induce the wortbv captain to take her as a nominal "hand."' So she has had a splendid opportunity of seeing all three croups, and will stay for a month in Fiji. Then she pronoses to go via Sydney to the New Hebrides, Solomons. New Guinea, Darwin. Broome and thence across to Seychelles and Madagascar and will winter in Kenya, where her only son is stationed. . . Mrs. Mordaunt is representing the London Daily News, and has had a very lartre experience as a world traveller. She spent eit»ht years in Australia in 1902 to 1909, and looks forward to renewing old acquaintances, and visiting old scenes. The Fleet's Visit. Fiji is making large preparations to gTeet the British Fleet when it arrives here on May 21. A lengthy programme has been arranged and forwarded to the Admiral for approval. In deference to the expressed wish of the latter in other centres, the regatta, arranged for, has been abandoned. Every facility will be given to the visitors to see as much of the country, its people, and its customs as possible. Already the Government has arranged for sjme 800 natives to come to Suva in order to present all the most attractive mekes dances as is possible. Games of all sorts and swimming and boxing carnivals are on the list, and dances for all hands, so that Jack will have no opportunity-of-feeling ennui.