QUEEN’S VISIT TO FIJI

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27246, 13 January 1954, Page 2

QUEEN’S VISIT TO FIJI

GOVERNOR THANKED IN LETTER

“A MOST ABSORBING TWO DAYS” (New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 12. In a letter to the Governor of Fiji, the Queen’s private secretary (Sir Michael Adeane) has written:— “The Queen desires me to write to let you know how tremendously both she and the Duke of Edinburgh appreciated every moment of their visit to Fiji. “Her Majesty knows better than anybody how much thought and work is involved on an occasion of this sort? and she hopes that you will convey her very warm and sincere thanks to everyone who helped you. This includes of course, not only the Royal visit corpmittee, the members of the Colonial Service, the various civic authorities and the armed services—particularly the members of the guards of honour—but your own personal staff and servants, and all the members of the public, of all races, who joined in the general welcome and in the very generous hospitality which was extended to the members of the Royal Household and staff and to the officials and crews of. Black Prince and Gothic. The Queen would be grateful if you would pass on a word of special commendation to the police for their admirable handling of the traffic and for the very expert manner in which they discharged their many responsibilities. “Last, but by no means least, both Her Majesty and His Royal Highness desire me to thank Lady Garvey and yourself for entertaining them at Government House as you did and for arranging such interesting and enjoyable parties.

“It was indeed a most absorbing two days and it was certainly a tour de force on your part and on that of your committee to compress so much variety and interest into such a short time without making the visit the least exhausting. I can assure you that not only the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, but every other member of the party, wish they could have stayed very much longer in Fiji.”