Fiji Area Gets Water

After 6 Years’ Fight

ON July 30, following 30 years of discussion, argument and frus tration, the Governor of Fiji (Sir Brian Freeston) formally

opened the Rewa Water Supply, by which 6,000 people, living in Nausori, part of the Rewa Delta, and Bau, now get water by reticulation from a hillside above Nausori.

The water is pumped by electric motors from the Rewa River, and is cleared and purified in a series of settling tanks, and then stored in a reservoir of 180,000 gallons.

The plan was formulated about 1920, but no agreement was reached

for 20 years. Then a select com—j mittee recommended something likes the present plan, but without thes. inclusion of Bau—it was thoughts that the old 80,000 gallon tank ath Bau could be repaired and used.* Then the war intervened. After thesj war, a £75,000 plan was approved.

Ever since then, the Public Works: people have fought steadily fora materials and staff. When eventu--j ally the work was completed, it hadb cost £120,000 and taken three timesa' as long as estimated.

It is hoped eventually to increases: this water supply to serve the wholes Rewa Delta, and 17,000 people Power is provided by AC genera tors operating off 60 hp dieselh engines.

When completed the scheme wilHI entail nearly 20 miles of mains„g from 9-inch through 8-inch too 3-mch. A special 3-inch pipe is be ing laid to Bau Island.

The new supply will be of ines timable benefit to the communityy and may have a marked effect one vital statistics, particularly on thes incidence of infant mortality. Al ready there is evident a keen desires to get on to the new supply, by allU those anywhere in the vicinity.

Miss Murial Bishop left Brisbanesj by flying-boat in early August fon< Port Moresby. Prom there she will II go to Kanosia estate where she wilHI marry Mr. Douglas Campbell.