Fiji

Personal Notes From Fiji

By Our Suva Correspondent

We had Mr. James Burns in Suva recently for a few hours. He met several of the leading people and made a very favourable impression. His company, Messrs. Burns. Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd., has its fine new building well on towards completion.

Mr. Thomas Horne, who recently vis ited Sydney, comes back with praise for The Pacific Islands Monthly, which he says should play a very useful part in the development of the Western Pacific.

His Excellency the Governor paid a visit to the districts most stricken by the recent floods and hurricane, and made himself personally acquainted with the local conditions. He travelled in H.M.C.S. “Pioneer.”

Sir Maynard Hedstrom returned on Thursday from a visit to Sydney of several weeks’ duration.

Mr. T. H. C. Taylor, entomologist to the Fiji Coconut Committee, has left on his vacation to England. At the conclusion of his holiday he will prob ably proceed to Java, with the object of securing some more parasites to cope with diseases of local plantations. Mr.

Taylor has been most active in helping to eradicate coconut pests.

Dr. Lambert, the special representa tive, in the Pacific, of the Rockefeller Foundation, has gone for his regular vacation. He recently visited New Zea land, and it is reported that the visit was in connection with developments in the Foundation’s work in the Cook and other islands.

The Colony is much the poorer by the withdrawal of several of the best known Methodist missionaries, owing to the depression, which has caused the Methodist Board of Missions to curtail their activities somewhat. One of the most valuable men is Rey. L. M.

Thompson, M.A., who has done splen did work as a member of the Board of Education, and also in connection with mission work among the Indians and at the Training College at Davui Levu. Another is the Rev. Mr. Cham bers, whose preaching was very highly esteemed.

Mr. C. R. H. Nott, who has been act ing A.D.C. to the Governor for some time, is leaving on vacation. Mr. God ley, the newly-appointed A.D.C., has arrived from England to take up his duties.

Mr. and Mrs. Pat Costello, the genial host and hostess of the Shamrock Hotel, Lautoka, have gone for a trip to Ireland and Europe. It is their first visit to Europe, and their many friends wish them good luck and a pleasant time.