Fiji’S Model Mine

Town

Tributes to Mr. and Mrs. Nilsen

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Oct. 22.

ALMOST the whole European popula tion of Vatukoula was included in the 2,500 spectators at a lavish Fijian combined ceremony of farewell and wel come, when the guests of honour were the chief general manager of the Asso ciated Mining Companies (Mr. N. E. Nil sen) and Mrs. Nilsen, who are going to Australia, and the new general manager (Mr. Cayzer) and Mrs. Cayzer.

Mr. Nilsen, who expressed regret at the absence of Mr. E. G. Theodore because of ill-health, said that Mr. Theodore had been mainly responsible for the estab lishment of the goldmining industry in Fiji. Since 1932, when the industry was started, the Vatukoula population had grown to the present total of more than 4,000 —3,000 of whom are Fijians.

The mining companies, he said, had always had the interests of the Fijians at heart and they endeavoured to provide the best living and working conditions possible.

Ratu George Toganivalu, Roko Tui Ba, on behalf of the Fijian community, thanked Mr. Nilsen for the companies’ work in connection with Fijian welfare Addressing the Fijian employees, he urged loyal support for the companies.

AS general manager of the Emperor and Loloma mines, Mr. Nilsen did a re markably good job in Fiji.He was not only efficient in a technical sense—he is a man of vision, and he could see the im portance of the new gold industry in re lation to Fijian economy, and in its effect upon the native people with whom it came into contact, and he regulated his work policy accordingly.

With the complete sympathy and sup port of Mr. E. G. Theodore, Mr. Nilsen promoted the establishment of three model communities at Vatukoula—one for Europeans, one for Euronesians and one for the native Fijians. All the ameni ties possible were provided—attractive de sign of the settlements, schools, social halls, health and sanitation plans, and maintenance of gardens. The new mining town of Vatukoula is a very pleasant place in which to reside, and the communities there live happily together.

Much of the credit for this goes to Mr. and Mrs. Nilsen, who will long be remem bered in Northern Fiji.