Engineers for Fiji’s Development

Plan

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 25.

THREE engineers, Mr. E. E. Penby, Mr. R. F. Widboume and Mr. P. C.

Kilmister have been engaged in the United Kingdom for work in projects in Fiji’s Development Plan.

They are expected to arrive in Fiji early in 1951.

Fiji Public Works chief has been trying to recruit technical personnel in Aus tralia and New Zealand also.

An inquiry has been opened in New Caledonia into the deeds of a tribal medicine man named Manager Ouakoupa, of Neaoua, Houailou, who has for some time been jmder suspicion of practising sorcery. Several natives of all ages have gone SnTpntiv ll! 1 SOme cases they have subsequently died.

Arthur Jamieson, one of two brothers from Brisbane who have been engaged in large-scale building operations in New Caledonia, was fined heavily and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, in Noumea, because he ran over and killed a Javanese who was riding a bicycle. His

sentence was severe because he drove away without stopping, and later denied any knowledge of the accident. Another brother, before this, made the Noumea headlines when a case belonging to him, containing a very large sum in US dollars, was found shortly before the departure of a p i ane; f or Australia, on Tontouta air field. The police investigated, taut no further action was taken.

The Rev. and Mrs. David Hoey, of the Melanesian Mission, BSI, will leave the Protectorate in November and live in New Zealand. Mrs. Hoey has been ordered to a cooler climate.