Fiji and Polynesia in Colour

Colour for PI Society

MEMBERS of the Pacific Islands Society, Sydney, had something of a “Fiji evening” at their September meeting.

Mr. G. A. K. Williams, a member who had recently made a round trip voyage to Fiji, Tonga, Niue and Samoa in Tofua, gave a lecture illustrated with excellent colour slides —some of the most interesting shots were taken on a side trip to the Yasawas in Captain Trevor Withers’ launch Turaga Levu.

This lecture was followed by a sound colour-film of the Royal Visit to Fiji, made and introduced by Major A. D. Diffey, late of the Fiji Military Forces and now settled in Auckland. Major Diffey had just returned from England and left Sydney the following day for Auck land.

Major Diffey’s film was a par ticularly good amateur effort. The spoken commentary was added to the sound track in London by a well-known BBC announcer. A copy of this film is going to the Fiji Infantry Battalion in Malaya, where it will be popular.

Major Diffey was able to get many of his shots from positions as close and well placed as those of the professional camera-men on the job.

The Annual Report of the US Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands gives the following interesting figures on education within Micro nesia: At June 30 there were 6,363 children attending the 144 public elementary schools which carry the children through the first six years of their schooling. Sixty-eight of these schools are single-room build

ings housing several classes, addition, there are 18 mis schools enrolling a further 1 children —17 per cent, of the t( As in British territories, the mis schools are required to main educational standards equal to i ernment schools. In practice, i are in many cases of a hi\ standard.