Large crowds gathered at the King’s Wharf, Suva and hundreds of passengers lined the deck rails of the Oriana when the retiring Governor of Fiji, Sir Kenneth Maddocks and Lady Maddocks left the Colony in the liner.
There was an official send-off, with a brief military ceremony before Sir Kenneth and Lady Maddocks went on board and from the bridge high above the wharf, waved their last farewells.
This was published in this newspaper on Friday September 13, 1963.
When the Governor arrived at the wharf he was met by the Colonial Secretary (Mr P.D Macdonald).
While Lady Maddocks waited with the Colonial Secretary, Sir Kenneth stood, dark hat in hand, in the centre of the enclosure while the Guard of Honour of the Fiji Military Forces gave the Royal Salute.
The band of the FMF played the National Anthem.
Then the departing Governor inspected the guard while the band played the Maori song of farewell Haere Ra.
Sir Kenneth and Lady Maddocks shook hands with a large group of Legislative Council and City Council members, leading citizens and representatives of various organisations.
Before they reached the last of the group, Adi Litia Tavanavanua of Bau, president of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama draped salusalu round their necks.
They then crossed to a smaller group consisting of the Colonial Secretary, the acting chief justice (Justice Hammett) and Mrs Hammett, the speaker of the Legislative Council (Mr H Maurice Scott) and Mrs Scott, the mayor and mayoress of Suva (Cr C.A Stinson and Mrs Stinson), members of the Executive Council, heads of the three Services, and the Vunivalu (Ratu George Cakobau) and his wife, Adi Lelea.
Adi Lelea presented a bouquet to Lady Maddocks.
After the last handshake, the Police Band played the National Anthem.
Before Sir Kenneth and his wife walked up the gangway of the Oriana, Lady Maddocks stopped for a few moments to speak to a guard of honour comprised of Scouts and Guides.
