OFFICIAL VISITS: 'Tonga Celebrates Hundredth Anniversary of Foundation of Kingdom.'...

OFFICIAL VISITS: 'Tonga Celebrates Hundredth Anniversary of Foundation of Kingdom.' 'On 4th December 1945 centenary of the coronation of the first king of a United Tonga - King George Tupuo I was celebrated at Nukualofa, capital of Tonga, with a week of festivities. At a national service of commemoration the reigning monarch. Queen Salote (Charlotte) Tubou, was invested by the Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Alexander Grantham K.C. M.G with insignia of Dame Grand Cross of Order of the British Empire, an honour conferred by H.M. King George VI in recognition of wartime contributions by Tongan people of over 30,000 pounds in cash; of 1,800 men for local defence and a small expeditionary force which served in them Solomon’s. Tonga has been under the protection of Great Britain since the signing of the treaty of Friendship and Protection in 1900. To mark the centenary H.M.S Euryalus brought a battery of saluting guns presented to Tonga by the British Government. Delegations of high chiefs from Fiji and Western Samoa presented and received gifts the Queen's people gave her Mata, barking cloth, kava roots, pigs native vegetables, and baskets. For four days after the anniversary parties of Tongans performed native dances to specially written words on the malae (Public Park); in the ground of the Palace and of the houses of nobles and officials where Fijians and Samoan guests were staying. Other items in the celebrations were athletic sports, a regatta and a State Ball.' Individual photographs are described at item level.

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