Fiji Birthday Honours

IN spite of bad weather, a large crowd of spectators gathered in Albert Park, Suva, on the morning of June 7 to see the King’s Birthday Trooping of the Colour ceremony.

In the afternoon, the Governor and Lady Freeston entertained 500 guests at a garden party at Government House.

Seven local residents received honours in the Birthday list.

They are: Dr. J. M. Cruikshank, OBE, Director of Medical Services, who was ap pointed a Companion of the Most Distin guished Order of St. Michael and St.

George.

Joeli Ravai, Roko Tui Tailevu, and Mr.

E. H. Griffiths, who retired recently as Manager and Attorney in Fiji of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., were appointed Officers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Mr. S. H. Wilson, of Savu Savu, Rari kua Vera, Live Stock Officer of Labasa, and Mr. G. S. Barrack, Chief Accountant.

Western Pacific High Commission Office, Suva, were appointed Members of the same Order.

Mr. W. J. G. Holland, Acting Commis sioner of Police, received the Colonial Police Medal.

The Governor awarded a Certificate of Honour to Joni Misikini, Fijian Magis trate at Lawaqa, Nadroga.

It is said that the coldest man in Auckland, NZ, on June 23 was Sofeni Fonotia, a Samoan carpenter who had just arrived in the PAA Clipper seeking work in the Dominion. He had boarded the aircraft in Fiji and wore only a thin cotton shirt and sulu. Those who tried to talk to him got only one sentence out of him :‘Tt’s cold.”

Miss Lila Hayes, who is a bacteriologist and has been senior research officer at Prince Henry Hospital. Sydney, for the past four years, was married to Mr. John Bertrand Smith, at Rose Bay Presbyterian Church on June 30. Miss Hayes is the daughter of Mr. W. R. Hayes of Fiji, and Mrs. Hayes of Sydney.

Eleven priests of the Society of St.

Columban have been appointed to Roman Catholic Missions in Fiji. Previously most priests in Fiji have belonged to the French Marist Order; of recent years, however, English speaking priests have been ap pointed. The new appointees are:— The Rev. Fathers Dennis Fitspatrick (Superior), Charles O’Mahony, John J.

Doyle, Martin Dobey, Gerald Hurley, Sea mus O’Connor. John J. OLoughlin, Arthur Tierney, Patrick J. Kelly, Kevin F. Flem ing and James Garigan.