FIJI’S FAREWELL

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 32

FIJI’S FAREWELL

ANCIENT RITES. Tt is an old Fijian custom for visiting tribes to ask their hosts for permission to leave when they desire to do so, and that tradition was observed in the Fiji Court 1 on Friday. The ceremony was enacted in the Fijian House, and the request was put to Mr J. Sutherland Ross, the “chief” of the Exhibition village. Other guests in the court were Sir John Ross and Lady Ross, Mr Charles Todd (representing the directors), Captain S. J. Graham (British Commissioner), Captain Moore (British Deputycommissioner), and Mr D. H. Ross (Canadian Commissioner). Ratu Keni, head of the native party, laid at the feet of the guest a tabua, or whale's tooth, which was the most sacred form of currency in old Fiji. Always it was presented to the chief from whom permission to return was asked. For Mrs Ross, Ratu Keni brought a flelicately-worked basket and fan, and lie expressed the deep regret felt by his countrymen and himself that Mrs Ross, who had visited the court many times in the early part of the Exhibition, was not able to be present that day because of her illness. The Hon. J. Boyd, M.L.C., Fijian Commissioner, in translating the speeches, remarked that it was the custom on such occasions as that to break down the temporary building immediately. But on this occasion it had been decided not to do so. The building, he consiaered, was one of the finest that had ever been erected outside New. Zealand, and it was thought that it would be a good tiling toleave it with the insignia of a chief, the white kauri shells, permanently in Dunedin. It would therefore.oe gifted to the Museum. Mr Sutherland Ross said that he would readiV grant to “the young nun of Fiji” the permission they sought, but he regretted that they were going away. Their presence had taught the people of New Zealand much about Fiji, and their behaviour throughout was exemplary. He expressed his pleasure at the gilt of the house to tlie Museum, remarking that it would always remind those whe had visited the Exhibition of the beautiful songs and fine displays that they had known at the Exhibition. He thanked them for their gift to Mrs Ross, whose absence he said was a great grief to him. He appreciated their kind words, which he would convey to her. He asked Mr Boyd to convey to the Government of Fiji the warmest expression of appreciation of the way the boys of the Fijian Court had behaved and had associated themselves with the important part that the court had played in the Exhibition. The festive drink, yaqona, was then prepared, with several impressive rites, the first bowl going to the guest of the morning. The boys then shook hands with their guests, and the ceremony came to a close. The ceremony in its full observance would be followed immediately by the departure of the party, whose canoes would be at anchor and ready to move.