Fiji Elections

Changes in the Council

THE only outstanding features of the Legislative Council elections were the return of two former European members (Messrs Alport Barker and Gibson) who had been defeated when last befor the electors; and the defeat of a well-known Indian publicist, Mr.

A. D. Patel.

Mr. Barker had been a member of the Council for 22 years when he was de feated by Mr. A. A. Ragg. At the next electron, he and Mr. Ragg fought it out again, and again Mr. Ragg was victor ious. But on this occasion “the old war horse” came out on top. Mr. Barker is Mayor of Suva and proprietor and editor of the Fiji Times.

Southern Division

European: T. W. Alport Barker, 316 votes; A. A. Ragg, 182; R. Spowart,l74.

Indian: Vishu Deo, 1,681 votes, defeated Han Charan, 1,446.

North-Western Division

European: H. Maurice Scott, sitting member, was returned unopposed.

Indian; Tulsi Ram Sharma, 2,340 votes defeated the sitting member, A. D. Patel, 1,858.

Eastern Division

European: H. B. Gibson, defeated the sitting member, F. G. Archibald by 11 votes.

Indian: J. Madhavan, sitting member, defeated his opponent, Tularam by 368 votes.

TO complete the unofficial side of the Council, two European and two Indian members have still to be nominated by the Governor. (See page 6).

The five Fijian members who will com plete the new non-official set up in the Legislative Council to meet at the begin ning of October, will be Ratu George Tuisawau, who goes back to his former post of First Fijian Member; Ravuama Vunivalu (whose election to second place by the Council of Chiefs in July caused a major sensation); Ratu George Toganivalu and Ratu Edward Cakobau (both former members of long-standing), and Ratu George Cakobau, who has been appointed Fifth Fijian Member in the place of Joeli K. Ravai, who is at present in England