Controlled

Nadi Airport Now

By Civil Authorities

Suva, Dec. 22.

AT midnight on December 19, the American Army authorities at Nadi, Fiji, handed over control of the air field to officers of the New Zealand Gov ernment. New Zealand has agreed to accept responsibility for the operation of the international and regional air service in Fiji subject to administrative control by the government of the Colony.

Most of the Americans will leave for home shortly. A few will remain until negotiations for the transfer of US equipment and stores is completed.

A party was held at the airport recently to farewell officers and men.

The US Commanding Officer, Colonel Tompkins, spoke in appreciation of the hospitality of local residents towards the Americans who had been stationed at Nadi and in reply the District Commis sioner, Mr. R. N. Caldwell, suitably ex pressed the goodwill and appreciation of the people of the district towards the officers and men who had been stationed at the airport.

Nadi airfield, which was built by the Americans during the darkest days of the war, and became one of the largest bases in the Pacific, now for the first time comes completely under civil control.

One of the sights tourists used to enjoy in Noumea before the war was the open air morning market, on lines reminiscent of the market in Papeete. During the war a good deal of the square was taken over by the American Forces who used to hold their boxing matches there. Finally they converted it into the Trade Winds beer garden and hamburger restaurant.

Now they have gone the local civilian marketeers have taken over, but, unlike old times, they now have a roof over their heads.