FIJI CELEBRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 245, 16 October 1935, Page 5

FIJI CELEBRATION.

METHODIST MISSION. CENTENARY CEREMONIES. QUEEN OF TONGA ATTENDING. (From Our Own SUVA, October 8. There is great enthusiasm here in preparation for the centenary celebrations of the Fiji Methodist Mission, which begin on October 10 and continue | for 10 days. Over 500 visitors will arrive at Lautoka by the Katoomba from Sydney on Thursday, and a varied programme has been arranged. A native welcome lias been planned for the passengers on the Katoomba, who include the Queen of Tonga. It had been arranged that the Queen should take a leading part for the whole 10 days, but owing to a recent operation she has been well advised to forgo part of the programme. It is announced that she will take part in the extensive schedule at Lautoka, and on arrival at Suva on Friday she will be given an official welcome, leaving the same day for Lakemba Island, in Lau, taking part in the imposing ceremonies there on Saturday and Sunday. After a Fijian reception to her she will take part in the special thanksgiving service on the beach at the very spot where, 100 years ago, the Revs. Cross and Cargill landed to bring the message from Tonga to Fiji, hence the special significance of Her Majesty's visit. A unique ceremony will be a "sunrise gathering," to mark the opening of the second century of the J mission in Fiji.

On October 13 the new Cross and Cargill Memorial Church will be officially opened by Randi (Princess) ni Xayau, widow of the late Eoko Tui, of Lau. The Queen of Tonga will then leave in H.M.C.S. Pioneer for the ancient capital of Bau, and then to Levuka, where she will join the steamer Ardenvohr, bound for Tonga.

The Ivatooniba will leave Lautoka after the celebrations on Sunday and rcacli Somo Somo, in the garden island

of Taviuna, tlie liext day. She will then visit Levuka ancl Suva, where further I interesting celebrations will be held, i The Fijian pupils of the mission schools here will stage an open air drama j entitled "The Eev. Dr. Brown and the ; Xavaloa Volunteers." A memorial | tablet to the Rev. Thomas Baker, tho I only missionary martyr, will be unveiled. Ban will be visited on October 17 and an address of welcome given by the Hon. Ratr, Pope Cakobau, the grandson of the late King Cakobau of Bau. The celebrations will conclude with a, grand united service on Sunday, October 20, in Albert Park, Suva. The Fiji Defence Force and the Native Military Band will take part and the Centenary Memorial Church will be dedicated. | -