HOLIDAYS IX FIJI

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 3

HOLIDAYS IX FIJI

” TROOPS ENTERTAINED A FIJIAN WELCOME (F.0.C.) » SUVA, January 4.. In cooler weather than usual; Amen-, can and New Zealand forces, stationed, in Fiji spent Christmas and New Year under tolerably comfortable conditions. Residents freely extended the hospitality of their homes and clubs, and other institutions arranging functions during the holiday season freely extended invitations to the visitors. On the afternoon before Christinas Eve, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Philip Mitchell, K.C.M.G., invited wounded American soldiers and sailors and nurses to an entertainment at Government House. The European entertainment took the form of a dance and variety entertainment in between refreshments. A representative body of Fijians in native ceremonial dress had already tendered a native welcome to the visitors. A root of the yangona shrub, from which kava is made, was ceremoniously presented, after which there was a native club dance. Then came the presentation of kava. The first bowl is customarily presented to the highest ranking guest, and to others in turn, according to rank and precedence. On this occasion it wss presented first to a corporal and _a sailor, as representing all the wounded men present. A native chief then expressed, through an interpreter, the gratitude of the Fijian people toward the people of America, who had come so far to help to defend their islands against a common foe. A vakamololo, or song, by a party of men and girls from the Lau Group, whose lighter skins show their Polynesian strain, concluded a most interesting and historic occasion. , , . , Many of the men have made friends in Suva and in other towns adjoining their camps, and there were few homes without American or New Zealand guests during the Christmas and New Year,festivities.