“Wailagilala Lighthouse, Fiji,
“17 South, 179.6, West Long.,
“26th September, 1897.
“My Dear Sir,—As you expressed a wish in your circular to hear how the anniversary of the day on which Her Majesty began her happy reign was observed in each locality, and also on board passenger ships at sea, I hope you will be pleased to hear that all your instructions were carried out here, as fully as circumstances permitted, my situation here being unique. As this is the connecting link between the western and eastern hemispheres, it may happen that you will find by overlooking the places where the ceremony was observed, that my endeavors were successful in commencing or finishing the general celebration of the world. Being only 54 minutes west of the meridian, all ships passing either way ought to change the name of the day on their reckoning while within sight of this island. I obtained the correct astronomical time from the captain and officers of the steamer that calls here every three months. A doubt being expressed about the proper day, and as good action could not be performed too often, I observed both the 20th and 21st June in the same way. I also had a bonfire lit on both nights, so that ships passing either eastward or westward could see that the anniversary was being kept to suit either contingency. I would have written you earlier but there has been no means of communication between this island since the 16th of June last until to-day.” Alfred Ffrench,
Lighthouse-keeper
Here the circle of the world was complete and the Anthem had come back to the place of its beginning.
Thus have we Sons of England linked our fellow-colonists hand in hand in one continuous line around the world, and changed the ideal but historic “drumbeat” of the “Martial airs of England” into the absolute fact of the “Diamond Anthem” with which we have encircled the earth, and accompanied the hours throughout the Diamond Jubilee Accession Day of our beloved Queen.
One of the great records of Her Majesty’s Reign is the marvellous increase of her Colonial Kingdom; it is largely through her own personal influence that during those sixty years it has been extended and cared for. Gladly has this tribute of affection been given by her grateful Colonists to their Queen by thus joining together in their rejoicings in a way, “Hands All Round,” which was impossible at the beginning of her reign, but which she has by her broad-minded advance, herself made practicable, and which therefore has marked a record of her great life work.
In conclusion I express my thanks to the Staff of the Head Office for their cheerful aid in the vastly increased correspondence entailed by the Jubilee Work, to our own District Deputies and officers, and to the officers and members of other Societies and to the members of the Clergy for the efficient and enthusiastic arrangements they made for the Sons of England service in their separate localities. I hope and feel that our united labours will have been for the strengthening of our patriotism, the awakening of new energies for Union and the deepening of British interests throughout our Empire.
Trusting that my actions through the year will have received your approval,