Friendly Pub

Farewell To A

AS a newcomer to the South Seas, and reading the PIM of Sep tember, 1953, I was interested to see the article on “Farewell to Mother Mac’s”; and so I submit my own version of the actual farewell.

On August 7 last, I was very new to Suva, and a friend kindly offered to show me the hotels. So we did what is commonly known as a “Pub crawl,” i.e., one beer in each place.

From the rather awe-inspiring (to me, anyway) magnificence of the brass, thick carpets and tur baned Indians of the GPH, my com panion suggested we have a look in at Mac’s Hotel.

We walked through the doors, and down the rather long passage, and I was delighted to find a small, friendly little bar, rather like the ones in NZ. There it was, the real Bohemian atmosphere. The scarred, terrazo bar-top, the battered stools, all made me feel at home. Bert Cooper, with his kindly smile, was my idea of a genial Mine Host; and I felt sad that I had found this little den only the day before it was to be demolished.

The last day I went along to join in the farewell. There was Bert, mournfully doling out beers, and the regulars sadly standing around him. Everyone was really sorry that Bert was going, and he was

presented with a scroll, signed by everybody. “Duffy,” of “Duffy’s Tavern,” I believe they used to call him, affectionately.

As I walk past, now, they are busily demolishing all the buildings, and only a few boards are stand ing as a sad reminder of a very friendly hotel and excellent host. —

L.Tompkins.

ff The engagement is announced of Margaret Florence, the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C.

Rowe, of Kokopo, New Britain and North Balwyn, Victoria, and Chester \re' younger son of Mrs. Austin- Pratt, of North Balwyn and the late Mr. Harold Austin. The wed ding is to take place in January.