Coconut Square

goes modern

Over the last few years, Noumea's Coconut Square has had a much-needed facelift. Few US Servicemen who knew the square in World War ll—it was made famous by H. E. L. Friday's "The War from Coconut Square"—would recognise it now. The bawdy Hotel Central has given way to a multi-storey building with luxury shops on the ground floor and professional chambers above. The name only has been retained.

Other disreputable-looking buildings have also been re placed by multi-storeyed structures. Noumea's historic Hotel de France cum Lotus has had a facelift and is now the demure tourist hotel, New Orleans. New Caledonia's legislature also has a new home fronting the square. A feature of the new building, which contains all that a parliamentarian should need . . . and much more ... is the harmonious incorporation of native Melanesian motifs in the architecture. The Melanesian carvings which support the entrance porch are seen in the photo at right. Above left is the historic bandstand which frequently figured in early literature on the square. Above right is the new Hotel Central building and other new high-rise buildings. All pictures were taken by Fred Dunn from the Catholic Girls' School which faces the square.

At a ceremony at Government House, Suva, in January, Wilisoni Inia, of Rotuma (at right in the above picture) was presented with a Certificate of Honour by the Governor, Sir Derek Jakeway. Wilisoni, who is seen showing his certificate to a fellow Rotuman, Josefa Rigamoto, is an outstanding teacher and a key figure in the Rotuma Co-operative Association. Mrs. J. T.

E. Koroi (above right), Matron of the Tamavua TB Hospital, Suva, was in Wellington in February for a study programme at the New Zealand Post- Graduate School for Nurses. Also attending the school was Miss A. S.

Chandulal (below right), senior tutor Sister at the Lautoka Nursing School.

Both were photographed in front of Parliament House, Wellington. Below, Superintendent R. T. Brookes, Commandant of the Fiji Police Training School, welcomes five police recruits from the New Hebrides who are doing a course at the school. They are (from left) Tovakisema Saurei, Krovet Ailubia, Mera Meshach, Cyprian Aru and James Dick Poilapa