Notes from Fiji North-West

T—, .. Lautoka. Jan. 3.

WO Indian men have been arrested at Ba for the alleged murder of a Fijian woman, Sokovati whose body, attached to iron weights, was recovered from a river near Ba. The men, both of Ba, were arrested and remanded in custody pending preliminary magis terial enquiry to be held at Ba on January 6 or 7. _T° , the N atabua Primary School Young Farmers’ Club, Girl Guides, and to provide sports equip ment, a bazaar was held at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on December 4. Re freshments and lunch were served at moderate rates, and sales from sewing and flowers were encourag ing. In spite of the bad weather, there was a large attendance.

The CSR Co.’s Pineapple Cannery has commenced its summer packing season. Fresh pineapples are carted in trucks from Lega Lega, a dist ance of 12 miles from the factory Pineapples are grown by the Estate and by the Indian farmers.

The Fruit Canning Division of the CSR Co. has an up-to-date plant.

Pineapples are processed and packed under 8 different brands, and are exported to various overseas countries, including New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Fijian women are enjoyed in the Cannery on twelve-hour shifts.

Seventeen trees, including Mahogany, African Tulip, Bent ham’s Cyprus, Honduras Pine, Cassia Siamea, Yemene and Jacaranda were planted in a formal Arbour Day service on November 22, in the compounds of Gurukul School, Saweni, Lautoka. The first tree, a sturdy young Mahogany, was planted by Mr. D. K. Paul, Divisional Forest officer, Western.

Head-teacher formally wel bv twn Mr c ‘ Pau1 ’ h i° was garlanded se P lor S lrls - Prayer was "H? Nation al Anthem was sung by the assembly. The Head teacher cordially thanked the Forestry Department for making the trees available.

Pointing to the hills at the back of the school, Mr. Paul said that over 50 years before the bare hills once were covered with beautiful forest trees, but early settlers had bSsh and ta£s dalS ' deStroying ‘he