Many Prosecutions in Fiji

Possession Of Firearms

rE illegal possession of arms in north western Viti Levu is causing concern to the Fiji authorities. It is believed that a quantity of military rifles and ammunition have come into the possession of certain persons, and a number of shooting incidents and murders have been reported.

Defence Regulations to cover the illegal possession of arms were amended in 1944, and again in April, 1945. They now provide for maximum penalties of seven years’ imprisonment on conviction before the Supreme Court, and a two years’ imprisonment or £5O fine or both on conviction before a Magistrate’s Court of the Ist class, or one year’s imprison ment or £5O fine or both before a Magis trate’s Court of the 2nd class.

Since the beginning of 1944, 53 persons (of whom 37 were in the Western Dis trict) have been prosecuted upon arms charges, and a further 15 persons are now awaiting trial.

Mr. C. D. Sommerfield returned to Suva in April after a vacation spent in New Zealand.