Suva's Hotels

Old Club Relic Goes Into Films

► When the rubble of Suva’s old •Club Hotel irretrievably damaged in the January hurricane was -cleared away, this fine old staircase awaiting removal.

The staircase was noticed by an executive of Warner Brothers film production unit, now making “His Majesty O’Keefe” in Fiji; and he promptly rented it for £2O per month. It is now one of the proper ties of the huge sound stage erected .about two miles east of Deuba, where interior shots are being filmed. (Photo is by Jack Thornton).

There are indications that Morris Hedstrom Limited will go ahead with the erection of a fine modern hotel on the site of the demolished ■Club Hotel. The big Co. has made no formal announcement, but re ports in Suva (which naturally is •deeply interested) say that the hotel will have at least five storeys —two floors of shops and offices, one floor of dining-room and lounge, and two floors of bed-rooms.

Travellers say “the sooner the better.” The accommodation position in Suva—the natural centre of the growing traffic of the South and Southeast Pacific —is becoming stead ily worse.

Captain Allan McNicoll, new commander of HMAS Australia, is one of the distinguished sons of the late Sir Ramsay McNicoll, Ad ministrator of New Guinea before World War 11. He specialised in submarines and torpedoes and saw very tough service in the Royal Navy during the war. For de lousing some Italian torpedoes—a job which calls for superb courage —he was awarded the rare George Cross. Another son of Sir Ramsay is David McNicoll, notable Sydney journalist.