AS Fiji readied itself for the celebration of its independence on October 10, 1970, plans were being made for the Union Flags on Fiji’s flagpole to be replaced by the country’s own flag, which up to that point had yet to be designed.
A similar ceremony had taken place on October 10, 1874, as part of the Cession arrangements but in reverse order when the personal flag of Ratu Seru Cakobau was hauled down and replaced by the British Royal Standard.
The Fiji Times reported that Ratu Cakobau’s flags could still be seen preserved in glass cases at the Fiji Museum.
“One is only a tattered portion of the flag believed to have been draped over King Cakobau’s coffin,” reported this newspaper.
Before the paramount chief died, he had issued instructions for the flag to be handed over to his friend, Major J.P Gore Martin.
A member of Gore Martin family later presented it to the Auckland Museum, which recently gave it on indefinite loan to the Fiji Museum.
“The other flag on display at the museum is complete and in much better condition although it has faded and has been darned in several places,” reported The Fiji Times.
“This flag was flown from HMS Dido when the ship brought Ratu Cakobau and his two sons home to Fiji after a visit to Sydney soon after Cession.”
The Cakobau flag is white, with a dove and crown corporated in the design.
The white dove, bearing an olive branch in its beak, is on a red shield background.
Above the shield is a crown in gold and red.
A prize of $100 was offered by the Government for the winner of a competition to design a national flag for Fiji.
“Some designs have submitted already, many of them bearing the Fiji Coat of Arms and Union Flag.
“Perhaps some competitors will include a part of Fiji history by incorporating a section of the Cakobau flag in their design.”
