Transport Slow In

Fiji

Plea for Better Mail Services

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Oct. 16.

THE principal island of Fiji, Viti Levu, is now served with a good road, which runs right around tne coast; yet it still takes practically a week to send a letter from Suva to Lautoka and get an answer.

This is not the only example of a slow and inefficient postal system. More than two hours after an oversea mail has been delivered at the Suva post of fice, lessees of letter-boxes may be seen dancing with impatience in the lobby, awaiting the sorting. The post office building itself is small and antiquated.

These matters were brought before a recent meeting of the Suva Chamber of Commerce by Mr. Alport Barker, and it was agreed to make strong representa tions to the Government. The Govern ment has spent money freely on new buildings and roads, and it is contended that the postal services could be speeded up. \ Fiji is the richest and most populous territory in the South Pacific and. in the circumstances, it is surprising that no enterprising young man with a good aeroplane has established himself there, and sought transport work with mails and passengers. Several have gone to New 7 Guinea.

An attempt was made to establish aerial services in Fiji some six years ago: but that was in the depth of the depression, and the enterprise failed.

The three-tons American yacht, “Marie'’. which was in Fiji in October, arrived in Sydnev early in November. She is manned by Captain Prank Dona and his brother.