lae, but

uninhabited Isle For lae, but rice Not Mentioned

PIEN potential lotus-eaters in the Northern Hemisphere send wistful letters across the [Uator asking about the chances of quiring a South Sea Island, the iction in the south is usually a al of merry laughter.

But one such inquirer, Sergeant T. wney, of Bovington, Dorsetshire, s been offered an uninhabited Han island by an Indian, Mr. Ram

’ Chaudhary, of Suva.

Not long ago Sergeant Downey ote to the British Council repre itative in Fiji (Mr. C. Miller) King the sale or lease of an un bolted island where he and his f wife > and a friend and his new could settle in about a year’s

In response to the appeal, Mr Ram Jit Chaudhary has offered an island of about 200 acres, “situated in a very beautiful spot which pro vides a luxurious fishing resort and is only about an hour’s run by launch from Suva.”

The climate, it is added, is like Suva’s —some people might regard this as a not unalloyed recommenda tion—and the island is summed up as “just the thing required by the English couples.”

In conclusion, the potential vendor mentions: “I am not quoting any price, but shall be glad to receive an offer for the purchase of the island.”

v M. Jean Vidal, late head of the Public Works Department in French Oceania, recently arrived in Vila to take up a new appointment as Superintendent of Public Works New Hebrides. Mr. W. M. Terry!

Acting Superintendent, has now gone to New Zealand on furlough.

Mr. R. C. Macpherson, chief of staff of the Daily Mercury, Mackay Queensland, and formerly of Fiji! was a member of a party of five* Australian Press and radio men who toured the South Island of New Zealand in November and December as guests of the New Zealand De partment of Tourists and Publicity.