Marriage Unites Fiji Indian Families

The Thursday Island Town Coun cil seems to have fallen on evil days.

It has no town clerk, and at recent elections there were no nominations for the office of Mayor, and not enough Aldermen nominated to fill all vacancies. In early June, the Queensland government dissolved the Council (which had accumu lated £lO,OOO of debts) and sent an official to Thursday Island to straighten out the island’s affairs.

Members of two well-known families of the Indian community in Fiji (Umiagori, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Damodar N. Dass, and Jekisan, son of Mr. Ambaram Kalyan) were married on May 10. National tradition and ceremony were carefully observed.

The main group shows the bridegroom,

holding the traditional garland, arriving at the residence of the bride’s father.

Beside him are the bride’s father, Mr.

Bukhan Jagyeevan Navsariwala, Mr.

Shankar Pratap, and other well-known Indians. The inset shows the marriage ceremony, which was performed in accordance with Vedic rites by Pundit Ami Chand. Photos from Tara Press

A Papua-New Guinea Ordinance, which probably will soon become law, will enable suitable young natives to enter trades as appren tices. Natives will have to be over 15 years and have the necessary educational qualifications. An Apprenticeship board of five mem bers will supervise the working of the system.

Rabaul, New Guinea is currently interested in four types of competi tive sport—tennis, rugby, basketball and baseball. Soccer, cricket and golf are also played. Several new tennis courts are to be laid down shortly to cater for the 10 teams at present playing competition matches. There are only four courts now.