Notes From Fiji

Governor’s Interest in Agriculture

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, May 2.

THE subject of agricultural educa tion is receiving consideration at the hands of His Excellency. During a recent visit to the Methodist Native school, at Toorak, the Governor in spected the plantations of the scholars and showed much interest in the prob lem of how best to protect the land (which is on sharp slopes, like most of the land around Suva) from being eroded by the heavy rains.

His Excellency said he liked the method used in Ceylon of making ter races, which sloped inwards, and so retained soil and water, which thus reached the roots. He also questioned the lads about the varieties of maize, and referred to the small round maize so much in evidence in China, where he lived so long.

The Government is urging agricul ture as an item in school curriculums, and already the missions are giving sound instruction in several schools.

The Government maintains experi ment farms in several parts of the Colony.

Where East And West Meet.

Some little time ago a European in stitution, called the St. Andrews Young Peoples’ Guild, asked for a site, for two tennis courts, on Victoria Park.

The Council granted the request and two fine courts are now in use. Then shortly after, the municipal authorities were asked to grant a site for a court for the Chinese community. This was granted. This week a further request came from the Oriental Association, asking for a site for another court.

This was also granted. The Park soon will present an interesting spectacle of East and West meeting upon one common ground—the sports ground.

Seventh Day Adventists.

This church’s mission work is devel oping in the Colony. This year the mission is itself spending, in addition to native contributions, £6,000. It has just announced that it is building a new school at Vatu Vonu, in Butha Bay, where it has bought a plantation of 350 acres, with 70 acres of coconut bearing land. The new school will have a school house, 50 feet by 25 feet, two large bures, each 50 feet by 25 feet, one for boys and one for girls.

There will be a head teacher’s house and three houses for three assistants.

The school is to cost £2,000. Mr.

Harry. Steed will be the first master.

Personal.

His Lordship the Bishop of Poly nesia has gone on a month’s visit to Tonga, to be followed by another month in Western Samoa. Mrs. Kemp thorne accompanied him. The Bishop recently visited Levuka, where he in stituted the Rev. C. W. Wonbon-Aston as Vicar of Levuka; while at Lambasa he opened the fine new Indian school for boys. The Anglican Church is con ducting a very live mission among the Indian community at Lambasa.

Mr. R. C. Farquhar, manager in Fiji for Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.) Ltd., has left, via Sydney, for a nine months’ holiday in the Old Country.

It is twelve years since Mr. Farquhar had leave. Recently he showed much initiative in installing a temporary wireless plant at Lautoka, just after the hurricane and floods, when news from the west coast was urgently wanted at the seat of Government here. He has received congratulations from the managing director (Mr. E. T.

Fisk) on his success. An arrangement has been made between the company and the Fiji Government, whereby a station will be maintained at Lautoka, on trial for three months, and if suc cessful, the station will be made a per manent one.

Mr. Bert Noerr left by the Niagara on a visit to Sydney, where his mother is in an unsatisfactory state of health.

Mr. Carroll, who has been relieving Mr. M. Brodie, as manager of the local business of the Pacific Biscuit Co. and Union Soaps Ltd., left here by R.M.S.

Niagara on his return to Sydney. Dur ing his stay here he made many friends.

Dr. C. R. B. Thompson. Medical Officer of Health, left Fuji by the Niagara for England on vacation. Dur ing his stay here Dr. Thompson has proved a most energetic official and has done really splendid work in clean ing up Suva, both rural aud urban.

He has also tackled the mosquito pest, with considerable success, despite lack of public support. During his absence his duties will be carried on by Dr.

M, L. McCauley.

Rev. James Jackson, late minister of St. Andrew’s Church, who took up dairying a year or two ago, has gone to Auckland for an operation on one eye. His many friends hope to see him return before long, quite re covered.

Among those specially commended by the District Commissioner at Rewa for their work during the recent floods were: Rev. T. N: Deller, C. Sachs, Capt.

Ramsewak, F. V. Dunstant, B. Meek (of the Methodist Mission), J. Garnett (one of the heaviest losers of stock by the flood), S. Kendrick (Sanitary In spector). Engineer Moses, Doneto (buli of Nuku), Luke Raiwalui (buli of Nakelo). Sakinasa N. M. P. Battan Singh Banwari, Levani, Rambissessar. and Ramjam. all of whom worked splendidly. There were many others not mentioned, but who all deserved praise.