Misusing Funds
p. 82 · Read in the full issue
Two Fijians Convicted Of
Prom a Special Correspondent
A Suva, Jan. 17.
N appeal against the decision of the Chief Magistrate (Mr. G. J. Hors fall), who sentenced Ratu Apakuki Nanovo, Roko Tui Kadavu, to 18 months’ hard labour on a charge of converting to his own use £BO/19/-, the property of the Fijian people of Kadavu, has been lodged by counsel for the defence (Mr. H.
Maurice Scott).
The money was part of a fund raised by the people to build a school at Rich mond, Kadavu, and the magistrate held that “the matter was treated with a laxity which is not uncommon with Fijians in handling their money affairs.”
The Roko had previously refunded the money.
Later, Buli Epeli of Naceva, Kadavu, was sentenced to a year’s hard labour for the fraudulent conversion of £47/8/6, the property of the people of Kadavu. This money had also been refunded, but the magistrate said he was satisfied that if there had not been an inquiry, originating with the people themselves, nothing would have been done about it. Defence counsel (Mr. A. I. N. Deoki) gave notice of appeal against the sentence.