Rabaul Wedding

Fijians Get Their Gift Islands Back

A GROUP of four limestone islands referred to as the Yagasa Cluster in Southern Lau, Fiji, which were given away by the Fijians 77 years ago, have now reverted to the descendants of the original owners.

The Fijians disposed of them in a more expansive age: They went as a token of esteem to Sir Arthur Gordon (later Lord Stanmore) who was Governor for about six years from 1875.

In a note to what he has to say about the Cluster, in his excellent book, The Fiji Islands, R. A. Derrick says that the group “is still owned by Lord Stanmore’s successors”.

That w r as in 1951; the islands were actually bought by the Fiji Land Trust Board for £F2,780 in 1953 the idea being that they should be allocated to local Fijians, who would buy them from the Board.

Evidently there were no takers; the Fiji Government has now bought them from the Board for the price the Board paid and will “give them to the descendants of the original Fijian owners”.

There is no record of the Cluster having done Lord Stanmore or his heirs much good—apart from the

£F2,870 in 1953; and the people of Moce have traditionally gathered coconuts from two of the islets, so it is understandable if they were not interested in paying some thousands of pounds for something they have always had for nothing.

Derrick describes the islands “without permanent inhabitants*’.

And they are, in fact, almost un inhabitable. Their shores are pre cipitous and undercut and it is

Impossible to land on the largest o them, Yagasa Levu, except in ver; calm weather, from canoes.

Rabaul Wedding

Mr. Alan Stanley Filer and Miss Janie Convary were married recently at Rabai Methodist Church. Picture shows, left [?] right, front, the bridegroom and bride; M Jim Castle; Mrs. Val Morrison. At real Mr and Mrs. C. J. Convary (parents of th bride); the Rev. lan Pardon; Mr. Peter Childs Mr. Lionel Quick; and Miss Gay Convary.

Photo: C. H. Meer