Earthquakes

Fiji’S Now Regular

THE scene of Fiji’s now regular earthquakes shifted from Viti Levu to neighbouring Vanua Levu in mid-March. A moderately heavy shake, which lasted about 30 seconds, commencing softly and building up, was felt at about 8.25 pm on the 14th. Shocks occurred from that time on to 10 p.m, at Buca Bay, according to Mr. A. P.

Ward. Other recent shakes have been felt on Viti Levu.

Though many people are of the opinion that earthquakes were almost unknown in Fiji prior to the big shake of 1953, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary—though some of it may not bare much scientific scrutiny. For example, this is from Findlay’s South Pacific Ocean Directory, of 1884: “Earthquakes are not unfrequent; according to the white residents

they generally occur in the month of February. Several shocks are often felt in a single night.”

Dr. A. J. Hibell, graduate of the University of London and the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, was expected in Fiji during March to take up an appointment with the South Pacific Health Service. if Mr. A. E. L. Riette, Islands ex porter, of 16 Bridge Street, Syd ney, was visiting Tahiti in March

as the guest of the commercial house of A. T. Poroi et Fils, Papeete.

U Dr. L. G. Poole has returned to Fiji to take charge of the admin istration of the Anti-TB Campaign in the Colony. He has recently taken a period of study in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, following furlough.

H Mr. Herbert Ernest Bates, English writer and a former Squadron- Leader in the RAF, was visiting Tahiti in March.