New Port, Town and Settlement Effect

Settlement Effect of Gold Industry's Growth in Fiji

WHEN the new Carpenter steamer “Suva” berthed at the new wharf at Vatia Point, on the north coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, in February, and dis charged 1.600 tons of fuel oil and 300,000 super ft. of timber, all for use at the new gold mines, a few miles inland, an other stage was marked in the very rapid development of the Crown Colony of Fiji.

It may be noted that the value of the gold produced in Fiji is now equal to about £750,000 per annum, and most of this comes from the new field near Tavua. To produce this huge treasure, a large staff of men and enormous equip ment are now employed; and the new wharf at Vatia Point has been built to allow for the quick and easy transpor tation of supplies. It is expected that, every month, hundreds of tons of sup plies for the mines will be landed from lighters, from the small coastal steam ers and from three or four overseas steamers which will make regular calls.

The new gold-mine industry has, not only created a busy little town at Tavua —it was only four or five buildings at the road junction four years ago—but the provision of a good road and a new port has stimulated land settlement in the district, and agricultural and pas toral industries are increasing. A new timber-getting industry also is developing.

It would seem that Tavua, with its port at Vatia Point, is to become an im portant Fijian town.

As the “Suva” was making her maid en voyage, and was the first steamer to tie up at the new wharf, Messrs. W.

R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., owners of the “Suva”, celebrated the occasion by giv ing a party aboard the “Suva” at Vatia wharf. Amongst those who attended were: — Mr. N E. Nilsen (general manager, Emperor Co.), and Mrs. Nilsen. Mr. H. J. Harrison (acting manager, Loloma Co.), and Mrs. Harrison, with Mrs. W. Gourley (Perth, Western Australia), Mr.

R P. Kay (manager, Tavua Power Pty., Ltd.), Hon. H. H. Ragg, M.L.C., Mr. J. Allen (C.S.R. manager, Rarawai), with Mrs. Allen, District Commissioner N. C. Caldwell, and Mrs. Caldwell, Mr. A. Farquhar (C.S.R. manager, Lautoka), Mr.

Griffiths (C.S.R. manager, Penang), Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Mr. Tiffen (district engineer), Mr.

W. Finlayson, Mr. Rourke, Mr. and Mrs. J.

Edwards. The party was entertained on board by Captain F. E. and Mrs. Laloe and Major C.

Brewster.