Pi Society Members Have A

Look At Fiji

MEMBERS of the Pacific Islands Society, Sydney, were taken on a most comprehensive and colourful tour of Fiji, with sidelights on the Colony’s interesting history, by Mr.

Hubert Sabben, on the evening of Sep tember 27. Mr. Sabben used a collection of over 80 excellent photographs, supplied to him by Mr. Rob Wright and the Fiji Public Relations Office, and his reminis cences from 40 years’ public service in Fiji, which accompanied his lantern slides, kept his listeners enthralled.

During his lecture, Mr. Sabben re marked on the presence of phosphate de posits on Lakemba. They are not regarded today as valuable; but their value he said will surely develop when the huge deposits at Nauru, Ocean Island and Makatea are worked out.

There is a strong Polynesian admixture in eastern Fiji. Mr. Sabben pointed out, m nis photographs, that the native houses m the eastern districts have rounded ends, after the style of Samoa; but those in the western or blacker districts have square ends, in the manner common to old Fiji and parts of Melanesia.

The president (Mr. R. W. Robson) said that when the Society was first estab lished, 15 or more years ago, it comprised mostly Papua and New Guipea people.

Now, the members from Fiji and Poly nesia generally seemed to outnumber those irom the north. They welcomed new members from everywhere; but they would

like more New Guinea members now. to keep balance with “those thrusting Fijians.”