Our Fijian Newsletter

Strictest Economy Being Exercised Government Grant For Air Service Opposed

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Oct. 30.

HIS Excellency the Governor is very much interested in improving com munications and roads, and it was through his energy that a flying service was started in the Colony, the com pany receiving £1,500 for six months, with a suggestion that the subsidy might be continued.

The company had decided that, if it received this assistance, it would im port a twin-engined ’plane, capable of carrying, say, four passengers. But when the vote come before the Legis lative Council, when considering the estimates, the Elected Members, who had been fighting hard to cut down ex penditure, in order to balance the Bud get, were faced with the item “£3,000 for air services.”

They opposed it, while confessing that their action might appear to be re trogressive. His Excellency said that he was very keen to have the service, but he recognised that the strictest economy was necessary, so with reluct ance agreed to the deletion of the item.

General regret is expressed at the decision, but the Elected Members said: “How could we impose fresh taxation upon flour, salt, meats, tobacco, etc., and then vote away £3,000 upon what must, after all, be regarded as a lux ury?”

The company will carry on with the subsidy for 1930 until December 31, but so far nothing has been decided as to what will happen after that date. Our new air stamp is therefore still “up in the air.”

New Wakaya

Lighthouse

Another notable work has been completed, and completed well, by the men of the Public Works De partment. It is the new lighthouse which has just been erected on the border of the reef, five miles out from the island of Wakaya.

The old lighthouse had survived its term of usefulness, and a better one was needed, so a site was chosen right on the edge of the reef, and here, exposed to

the rolling of the Pacific, 20 men waged war with the elements for 7 long months.

The building measures 28ft. by 27ft. at the base. The work was carried out by Mr. Fred Midson, assisted by three half-caste foremen and 16 labourers.

For days little progress could be made, because of the heavy seas, which threatened to sweep the party away, and for days at a time no work was possible, but as soon as they could get a footing, on went the work. The men had to travel back and forth for five miles, morning and evening, to their camp on the island. The actual work ing period occupied five months and fifteen days. While the base was being constructed, the men had to work in water, as at the very lowest tide there was 18 inches of water on the reef.

The lighthouse will prove of great benefit to all mariners trading in the Koro Sea. Great credit is due to Mr.

Midson and his men for their good work.

A Quick Reply

When the Legislative Council was dis cussing a trade agreement. Sir Henry Scott said that the C.S.R. Co. should be applauded for charging New Zealand only £50 per ton for sugar during the war, when the world’s price was £100 per ton. His Excellency raised a quick laugh when he promptly replied: “I think it was this Government that de served the applause, in that it did not charge £50 per ton duty on the sugar, ere it left the Colony.”

Hindu Propaganda

The Pacific Press —a Suva weekly, printed in English, Hindi and Fijian— published an article in Hindi which was headed ‘‘May the British Empire be destroyed?” Then followed an ar ticle taken from an Indian anti-British paper wherein were offensive passages regarding the attitude of India to the Empire.

In the Legislative Council, the Hon.

A. Barker was informed, in reply to his question, that the Government had seen the article, and was considering the introduction, at an early date, of a Bill, to provide punishment for sedi tious acts and seditious libel to facili tate the suppression of seditious publi cations, and to provide for the suspen sion of newspapers containing seditious

matters. The incident caused some ex cited comment “on the beach.’’

Fijian Cricketer

Fiji is proud of the records of its Fijian lad, E. T. L. Cakobau —a descen dant of the first “King of Fiji,” as he was called King Cakobau—who is a student in Auckland. Playing for the Eden Club, this young Fijian gave fur ther evidence of the cleverness of the native with the cricket bat, by knock ing up the fine average for four in nings of 109.33. We hope to see him in action in Suva, as he is coming home for the Christmas holidays.

A Plane’S Chapter Of Acci

Dents

Mr. Marlow’s Domier Lipelle flying boat has had a series of accidents re cently along the south coast.

While taxi-ing, the ’plane hit a coral patch, tearing two rivets out of the bot tom, and the cylinder head gaskets were found to have blown. After a lot of bother and hard travelling, the spare parts were taken overland to the boat, and repairs effected.

Captain Man flew to Sigatoka, where the plane was fully tested, but the revolutions again dropped below the minimum in the air, and further in vestigations showed that the valves re quired regrinding, copper from the blown cylinder head gaskets having been deposited in the valve seatings.

Again this was remedied, and after a test of an hour in the air passengers were taken up for joy rides.

After a while, when the revolutions again dropped, a forced landing be came necessary, so the ’plane made for the river, and safely landed upon the water. It was slackening speed when the pilot suddenly saw several natives bathing in the river, right in front of the machine. All would probably have gone well, but the passenger got “the wind up,” and in his trepidation, kicked or hit the throttle wide open, and to avoid killing the natives, Captain Man had to make straight for the bank.

Happily no one was hurt, but the luckless ’plane came home to Suva in a cutter in pieces. Repairs are being ef fected, and she will soon be again in the air.

Farewells To Mr. Caughley

Mr. J. Caughley, M.A., who is retiring from the Fiji Civil Service as Director of Educa tion, has about established a record in fare wells. Within the past few days he has re ceived addresses and presents from many In dian bodies, including being garlanded and receiving over nine addresses from a great assemblage of Indian children in the Imperial Picture Hall; a presentation from the Bowling Club; a presentation and dinner from the teachers, and many other farewells. His daughter, Miss Caughley, received a farewell tea and presentation from over 60 ladies at the Grand Pacific Hotel last Saturday. The party leaves for New Zealand by the Niagara.

Death Of Well-Known

Citizen

The death is announced of Cr. W. H. Terry, head of W. H. Terry & Son, shipbuilders and ship chandlers. Mr. Terry had been in the hospital for some weeks. He was 63 years old, and had been in Fiji since he arrived from Melbourne as a boy with his parents. He occupied many positions of trust, and was for many years a town councillor. He was also a member of the Central Board of Health.

President of the Suva Cricket Club, and elder of St. Andrew’s Church. He caused a sensa tion some little time ago by resigning the presidency of the Cricket Club, as a protest against the committee’s decision to play on Sundays.

Personal

His Excellency the Governor left by H.M.C.S. Pioneer for a fortnight’s cruise, which will take in Levuka, Ellington, Lautoka Ba and Nandi, and then on to the Yasawas Group, and later out over the 500 miles of ocean to the lonely Island of Potumah. Sev eral officials accompany His Excellency, and at each centre the natives are arranging a welcome with the customary native cere monies.

Mr. A. P. Matthews has come to Suva from Marton, New Zealand, as manager of the Bank of New Zealand, vice Mr. S. T.

Uren. The retiring manager has not had very good health of late, and it is reported is going off on six months’ leave. Mr. Uren has been a regular member of the bowling club, and he will leave many friends behind him.

Lady Hedstrom, after a pleasant holiday In New Zealand, returned by the Aorangi to Suva, looking much better for the change.

Mrs. Alport Barker, wife of the Hon. Alport Barker, has returned to her pretty Suva home after a short stay in Auckland. She left her daughter, Miss Molly, with friends in Auckland, and she will probably follow by the Niagara this month.