Something Always i urns Up!

By Periti

FOR quite a long time now, the accom modation problem has been most acute in Fiji—there just is none!

So when I heard last December that a Rarotongan concert party of about six teen members would be arriving in Suva early in the year, I thought to myself: “Here’s fun and games. Hotels and boarding houses out of the question. The local natives living in overcrowded con ditions already—the language difficulty— yes, complications are ahead.”

But I might have known better, for of course there’s a dusky guardian angel who looks after wandering Polynesians and the least worried people on their arrival in Suva were the members of the Rarotongan concert party. With that charmingly optimistic outlook so charac teristic of these South Seas people, they knew that something would turn up. So why worry? Something, of course, did turn up. The Young Fijian Society was constructing some new club rooms, and although not yet completed, part of the building was habitable, so the party moved in—the immediate problem was solved and everybody was happy.

Now, if I were asked to organise a tour of the Fijian Isles by such a concert party, I would be worried about all the details: transport, advertising, hire of halls, accommodation, and a dozen other matters, would provide me with a first class headache. But does our party worry? Not one scrap! With that same careless cheerfulness, concerts and dances are arranged and held in Suva —then off they go around the Island. A month later they all arrive back in Suva, and do I imagine some of the party look a little fatter? Maybe so, but all look very happy and the fact remains that although a fortune has not been made, a great time has been had by all, and isn’t that the chief thing in life?

However most good things come to an end sometime, and mid-April saw the schooner “Tiare Taporo” ready to sail and transport the party back 'to Raro tonga.

“I’m sailing next Thursday morning,” said Captain Andy Thompson, “now, see you’re all aboard on Wednesday night.”

Well, I know how I feel when I almost miss a train or steamer, but then I’m not a Polynesian, so it was just no trouble at all for the party to leave almost imme

diately for Lombasa, and for the “Tiare Taporo” to sail minus passengers!

At the moment the story of the mean derings of the Rarotongans around Vanua Levu is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but the “coconut wireless” reports suc cessful concerts and Tralalalas, with a visit to Taveuni to break the monotony.

The party is at present on Rotuma, and is expected back in Suva sometime early in September, en route (again) for Raro tonga. If I were in that concert party I’d be very worried about my transport home. The plane service is limited, ex pensive, and booked up well ahead, and direct sea transport between the Fiji and the Cook Isles almost nil. Unfortunately, however, I’m not a Polynesian, and so have not the ingrained faith in “some thing turning up.”

I am willing to bet, however, that some thing does turn up, and that, in due course, the fatted norkas and chickens will be in the umu, to welcome back the prodigal wanderers after a very grand and happy tour of the Pacific.

In the July issue of “PIM” it was stated that Mr. Stan McCcsker, of New Guinea, recently arrived “in Britain.” This should have read, “in Brisbane.”

Mr. E Wilson, manager of Messrs. A.

H. Bunting, Ltd., Samarai, Papua, re turned home by the “Malaita,” after two months furlough in Australia.

Mr. C. R. Turbet, BVSC, MRCVS, Senior Veterinary Officer, Fiji, who has been seconded to the Government of Ceylon as specialist in animal husbandry, arrived in Sydney recently on the “Orontes.” He is accompanied by his wife and two daughters—Margaret and Colleen. After spending furlough in Sydney, he will return to Fiji in Novem ber, 1948.

The Fiji Gifts to Britain Committee has allocated £l,OOO for the purchase of food for distribution to British school chil dren. The food will be sent in bulk from Australia to the United Kingdom Min istry of Food and will be distributed by the Children’s World Community Cheot committees in Britain.

The touring Rarotongans.