A Bank Slip

And A

Sequel In Court

SUVA, July 10.

A “courtroom drama” that illustrated several of the curious ’ features of life in Fiji cropped up in the Suva Magistrate’s Court on July 8.

The central figure was Gurdar Singh, described as an illiterate Indian cultiva tor from Tavua, who had come to Suva on July 7 to board the ship, “Orna,” en route to India.

On his arrival, Gurdar Singh went straight from the bus to a bank, to get a draft for £275. At the bank doorway he met a helpful but previously unknown Indian named Sadhu (alias Sharma).

Accepting Sadhu’s offer of help, Gurdar Singh handed over his passport and money. After the usual formalities, dur ing which Gurdar Singh affixed his thumbprint to a paper, Sadhu received a bank slip which he placed in the pass port, and returned both to the owner.

Outside the bank Gurdar Singh met an Indian friend to whom he showed the bank slip. It was for only £175. And the helper named Sadhu had disappeared.

The matter was reported to the police, who, after an extensive search, found Sadhu during the evening. After deny ing all knowledge of the transaction, the man offered to write a cheque for the £lOO as he “did not want any trouble.”

Bank officials revealed to the police that Sadhu had paid £lOO into his previously modest account.

In court next morning Sadhu was sen tenced to six months’ hard labour. He gave notice of intention to appeal against the sentence.