MILITARY POLICE GUARD GREETS N.Z. GOVERNOR IN FIJI

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 June 1948, Page 4

MILITARY POLICE GUARD GREETS N.Z. GOVERNOR IN FIJI

Recd. 10.15 p.m. Suva, June 29 With impressive guardsman-iike precision, 100 members of the Fiji police force lormed a captain’s guaru in the wooded grounds of Suvas Government House to welcome the New Zealand Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg) this atternoon. Beginning a tnree-weeks’ Pacific tour, most of which is to be undertaken in H.M.N.Z.S. Bellona, General Freyberg and Lady Freyberg leit Auckland early tnis morning and reached Suva after an uneventful Hight, seven and a-half hours later. Disembarking at Laucala Bay, His Excellency inspected the R.N.Z.A.F. Guard and proceeded to Government House on the outskirts of Suva.

With many of its members wearing ribbons of the Second World War campaigns, the Fijian Guard, in navy blue tunics and long white kiltlike sulus, presented a spectacular general salute, and was inspected by Sir Bernard before he met Sir Brian Freeston, the Governor of Fiji, on the steps of Government House, Obviously impressed by the military bearing and enthusiasm of his guard. His Excellency broke off the conversation to see the parade march from the grounds to the main streets of the town.

Officers of the Fiji Defence Force and ex-servicemen of the Middle East and Italy were met informally by General Freyberg tonight. Tomorrow he is to make a flight over the colonyin a Catalina flying-boat, and on Thursday will visit the island of Bau, which is regarded not only as the traditional home of the Cakambous, the ancient ruling family of Fiji, but also as a modern centre of Fijian culture. Their Excellencies will embark in the Bellona on Friday for a visit to Tonga and New Zealand's island possessions.