Letters From Fiji

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 27

Letters From Fiji

Dear "Highland Laddie," Next we went out with my Suva friend to look over the place. At about ten we went to bed. We did not get up early next day for you know that we were tired. On Weduesday we went out again looking all over the places. We visited the Botanical Gardens, museums, etc. We spent our evening at the talkies that night. Two splendid double programmes were on. One was "Halleluiah, I'm a Tramp," and the other one was Tom Mix in "My Pal. the King.” I liked the former much better than the latter. It was a comic. The next day, Thursday, we got up earlier than yesterday, having our breakfast made for the wharf. \\ hat we saw there —a big tourist boat (20,000-tonner). from Sydney, come for a holiday cruise. She came early in the morning at about 7.30 a.rii. It was the Orient liner Otranto, which was especially charted to visit the Fiji Isles. It was her first trip to Fiji. There were more than 500 tourists on board. At first they were welcomed by the Fiji Defence Force Baud, who played some selections on the wharf. A programme had been prepared by the Tourist Bureau for the visitors, for the boat was supposed to leave for Sydney next day again. The Tourist Bureau helped the visitors mostly to make their short stay in our rich shores an enjoyable one. First they went out motor riding. Secondly they did the shopping, and so on. In the evening they went to..the hibiscus show, some attending the Fijian Mekes’ firewalking ceremony, which was held at Albert Park. At night a great ball was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel for the visitors. The Otranto’s orchestra and the Fiji Defence Force’s Band played very smartly. The next day too, they went out motor riding. It was a free day for tourists, and many of them went out to Naselai beaches. The boat was timed to sail for Sydney at 5 p.m. After all the tourists caine on board. A very large crowd was in attendance. I too, was on the spot with my friends. At about 4.30 p.m. the Fiji Defence Force Band played many selections on the wharf to farewell the ship. All_ the crowd was watching eagerly. At 5 p.m. the boat began to shift from the wharf. The tourists were cheering from overboard. A isitors. no doubt, spent a good deal of money in the city buying all the island curios for their friends abroad. (To be continued). (This letter Is from a native pen-friend of “Highland Laddie’s." Wellington.!