Late Fiji News

Suva, Feb. 7.

11HE Victoria Cross, awarded to* the late Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, of the Fiji Military Forces, was presented by the Governor of Fiji, Mr.

A. W. G. H. Grantham, at a ceremonial parade of the Fiji Military Forces, in Suva, on February 6, to Lote Vulakoro, the father of the deceased soldier.

There was a very large public gather ing, and a deep impression was made as the Governor read the official account of the deed which won for the young Fijian the world’s highest award for bravery, and then handed the Victoria Cross to the dead soldier’s father. His Excellency then shook hands with the dead soldier’s father and mother, who were beside him on the official stand. ♦ * * Preparations are afoot to say farwell, in adequate fashion, to two of Fiji’s most highly respected public servants, now on the eve of retirement—Dr. V. W. T.

McGutsy (Secretary for Indian Affairs), who has given the Colony 33 consecutive years of service; and Mr. A. L. Armstrong (Commissioner for Reconstruction), who has held many important posts since he entered the Fiji service in 1915.

Sir Henry and Lady Scott have been informed that their son Maurice had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Maurice, who has lately been on active service in Italy with the RAF, flew with the Desert Air Force in North Africa from El Alamein, onwards, and has a fine re cord of service.

Lieutenant Harrowby Ryder, of 9th Division, AIF, son of Mrs. S. Nelson, of Suva, after long and distinguished mili tary service, was accidentally killed re cently while on active service in the Pacific.

The deaths have occurred of Mr. R. F.

Freeman (76) and Mrs. C. H. H. Irvine (about 80)—both early settlers in Fiji.

The next meeting of Fiji Legislative Council is to be held on February 16.

Mr. H. H. Ragg, a member of both Execu tive and Legislative Councils, is tempor arily absent, and his place will be taken by Mr. W. G. Johnson.

Mr. Alport Barker’s place as chairman of Movement Control Committee has been taken by Mr. A. A. Ragg. Mr. R. V. O.

Bentley and Mr. K. V. Macqire have been appointed members of the Commit tee during the absence from Fiji of Mr.

D. Butler and Mr. Harold Cooper.

The United States Consul, Mr. T. Horn, is at present away from Fiji, on leave, and his place has been taken by Mr. Robert Gr inhell.

Commissions as Justices of the Peace have been granted to Mr. George Thomp son (headmaster of Levuka public school) and Mr. M. L. Verma.

Lieut.-Colonel J. B. K. Taylor, who has been away on sick-leave in New Zea land, has returned, to become Rehabilita tion Officer.

A number of new teachers for Fiji schools have arrived from New Zealand —Mr. H. G. Warburton, Mr. D. W. Strong and Miss E. M. Creedon (Suva Grammar School). Miss 1. M. Bowman (infant mis tress, Levuka), and Mrs. Warburton (matron of the Suva Boys’ Grammar School hostel).

Mr. Bill Lee, who played a big part in Fiji’s early aerodrome construction, went recently on his way to Apia, to take charge of public works in Western Samoa.

Mr. W. H. B. Buckhurst has been appointed Director of Lands, Mines and Survevs in Fiji. He came to Fiji from New Zealand in 1928 as a surveyor on the staff of the Native Lands Commission.