Plateau

Fiji’S Central

Governor Will Examine Area at 3,000 Ft.

Preparatory to a personal survey of the area by the Governor (Sir Ronald Garvey) in September, a Fiji Forestry De partment party of 14 persons re cently completed an examination of the Nadrau Plateau, in central Viti Levu, at the headwaters of the Sigatoka river.

The plateau area, located about 3,000 feet above sea-level, was ex posed to the full force of the 1952 hurricane, and the survey team found large numbers of fallen trees blocking the paths.

The whole area is overgrown with timber trees, jungle and vines, with large numbers of wild pigs roaming the area—and providing a welcome addition to the diet.

Two small species of prawn were found in the rivers.

To assess the quantities of timber available in the area, the party cut tracks through the jungle, in straight lines of U to 2 miles long, at various points across the plateau, and then took tally of the trees for half a chain on either side of the tracks. From the figures thus obtained, the total timber resources will be computed.

The party also cleared a track to the Monasavu Falls, which has been suggested as the site of a hydro-electric power station.

The Nadrau Plateau area, far from being flat or open country, as is often popularly believed, is actually much broken, and some of it is very steep country; but it is here that people familiar with Viti Levu’s hinterland believe that the greatest hope for development of the island lies. It is for this reason that His Excellency intends to make his personal examination with a team of experts during September.

Mrs. S. B. Philp, of the Deuba Hotel, Fiji, returned from holiday in Australia in July.