Sir Arthur and family visit

The Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Arthur Porritt, saw more of Fiji’s islands than he expected when he arrived on Friday, September 5, 1969, for his short courtesy visit.

His aircraft, a Hercules of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, had arrived over Nausori Airport, half an hour too soon.

To pass the time, the aircraft captain was asked to cruise round until the scheduled time for the official arrival.

So Sir Arthur, Lady Porritt and their 18-year-old son Jonathon were treated to an aerial view of Viti Levu and adjoining islands.

on Saturday, September 6, reported that the Hercules was more than 15 minutes late arriving in Wellington to pick up the vice-regal to Auckland with a faulty brake-lining but a tail wind helped the plane to make up lost time and more besides.

On arrival at Nausori, the Governor General was greeted by the ADC, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, representing the Governor, Sir Robert Foster, Sir Arthur’s host until he and his party left for Western Samoa at noon on Saturday September 6.

The ADC presented Sir Arthur and Lady Porritt to the Commissioner Central, Josua Rabukawaqa, and the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, Colonel F. Rennie and the Commissioner of Police, R T M. Henry.

Sir Arthur as reported in the article then inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Regiment under the command of Major W D Sorby with the FMF Band in attendance.

Two officers and 48 men formed the guard of honour. When he reached the terminal buildings, Sir Arthur exclaimed to Colonel Rennie “It is a territorial guard and it is very good.”

After a brief rest at Government House, the Governor General visited the University of the South Pacific, the buildings of which were given to the university by the New Zealand Government.

In the evening he was the guest of honour at a reception at Government House.

On Saturday, Sir Arthur and his party witnessed the Trooping the Colour ceremony by the Second Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Regiment.

Also on Monday September 8, Sir Arthur witnessed a military march.

With the band playing and bright sunlight flashing on 300 bayonets, the Second Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Regiment marched along Victoria Parade.

Earlier about 5000 people saw the colourful ceremony of Trooping the Colour by the Second Battalion at Albert Park.

With bayonets fixed and headed by the FMF Band, the territorials, celebrating the end of their annual training camp marched past a saluting base outside the Civic Centre.

Sir Arthur Porritt watched the ceremony from the pavilion with Lady Porritt.

The Mayor, Cr L G. Usher took the salute and was accompanied by the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, Colonel F Rennie, the Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel G T Upton of Auckland and the Honorary Colonel of the Second Battalion, Ratu Edward Cakobau, as well as city councilors and officials.

Everywhere along the route from the park to Harris Rd there was spontaneous clapping from the large crowd which lined the streets.

Taking the salute at the Trooping the Colour was the Governor, Sir Robert Foster.

After visiting Western Samoa, Sir Arthur was expected to visit the Tokelau Islands and Tonga.