Suva to welcome Queen Mother
The following article is taken from an original piece that appeared in The Fiji Times on April 9 1966.
FIJI was all set to give a Royal Welcome to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother when she arrived at in the Royal yacht Britannia in April 1966. Large crowds gathered to greet her.
A number of streets were closed during various stages of the royal program.
This was not done to restrict people, but to facilitate their opportunity of seeing the Queen Mother in safety and in as much comfort as possible, stated a PRO report.
After the Queen Mother left the Suva Town Hall for Government Houses, there was a short period when vehicles at Sukuna Park were allowed to leave the city.
Closed roads were opened up once she left.
Special buses ran from the suburbs and outlying areas from about half past five in the morning. They stopped at 8.30am.
Although roads were closed to motor vehicles, they were not closed for those who intended to walk on foot.
Space at the wharf for the public was kept clear for the Guard of Honour, the Band of the Fiji Police Force, the presentations at the bure and for parking cars for officials.
As many people as possible was allowed into the remainder of the wharf area.
Admission to the wharf was allowed only from Prince’s Street and from Renown Street. Barriers were arranged to give many people as possible an excellent view of the Queen Mother’s arrival, the inspection of the Guard of Honour and other presentations at a specially made bure.
On Britannia’s departure, a much larger area was opened to enable people to the royal leave.
People were reminded not to carry out certain things during the visit. They were not allowed to set up temporary vantage points such as boxes and steps among the crowd.
People were not allowed to overload verandas along the Royal route or climb up to verandas and canopies from the street overhanging the Royal route.
This was because of the danger of accidents and injuries.
About 300 school children had a close up view of the Queen Mother when she arrived at Buckhurst Park to watch part of the National Athletics Championships.
■ Part 3 — NEXT WEEK