American Accent and Fiji Film

Audiences

RETURNING recently by the Hobson’s Bay from a holiday in India, Mr. C.

S. Thayagaiajen, manager of the only pic ture show in Fiji, said he hired films in Sydney, and they had to pass before the Fiji Collector of Customs and two approved persons (says “Sydney Sun” of October 8).

“Very few are rejected,” he said, “but occasionally there are films that it is not advisable to show to native races.”

The chief difficulty with which he had to cope was the American accent, he said, and when some film hero drawls; “Give him the woiks, baby,” the translation was flashed on a side screen. The natives understood the English dude better.

Although the main language is Hindu stani, most of the audience experience little difficulty with well-spoken English.

Mr. William Blakelock, who was one of the earliest Fiji-born colonists, died after a long illness at Beqa Island on August 25. The son of Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Blakelock, who arrived in Fiji in 1860 Mr William Blakelock was born on Lakeba about 1864. For many years he was on Lakeba and later lived in various other parts of the Group as shipwright, storekeeper and mariner. One of his sons is in the service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Administration.

Mr. G. A. V. Stanley and Mr. H. D. Eve, mining geologists, arrived from New Guinea in Sydney on September 16. For the past three years they have been mak ing geological surveys for oil in the Aitape district, North West New Guinea.

Mr. W. M. Reid, well-known Islands merchant of Sydney, left on October 13 by the m.v. Salamaua on a business trip to New Guinea.