New Mission School

Institution for Fijian Girls.

A START on the construction of a new school for Fijian girls will be made in July at Muanikan.

The object of the school will be to train native teachers; but useful arts and crafts, such as domestic science, child welfare and mothercraft will also be taught and there will also be a pre paratory course for student nurses.

The establishment of the new school was one of the objects of the recent visit to Fiji of the Rev. J. W. Burton, secre tary of the Methodist Mission Society of Australasia, who discussed the scheme and went into the plans for the institu tion. The Government of the Colony has already approved the scheme and pro mised a building grant. The natives also appear to favour the scheme and a committee on which the chiefs are rep resented, has been formed.

The site, which is near the Brighton Racecourse, is Mission property and comprises 13 acres. This will give ample room for playing areas as well as space for the cultivation of mat-making and basket-weaving materials and foodstuffs.

The Mission will contribute a consid erable share of the funds and it is ex pected to swell the fund by subscrip tions. The church in Fiji has already made a contribution and young women in Australia have made over £1,000 available.

Buildings to be erected will include a school house, several industrial rooms, dormitories and teachers’ residences.