Upstaging

India

By Sue Wendt

A mini-sari!?

Hard to believe perhaps, but a whittled-down version of this most graceful and elegant of female garments has appeared on the scene in Fiji.

Such a drastic departure from tradition met with a predictably mixed reaction, though tourists—for whom it was designed—were enthusiastic. European women never do look entirely at home in a full-length sari— at least they can show their legs in the mini-version.

The idea came from the Suva fashion department of Burns Philp. which decided five months ago that the time was ripe for really commercialising the sari. Six of the minis were shown privately first, then given a public airing at the “In Orbit” fashion parade at the Hotel Isa Lei in May, Most European women who saw it.were in favour—

but a dissenting note came from an Indian gentleman, who wrote in to the Fiji Times.

The model looked, he said, “like a hen without a tail or something of a similar nature. Something seems to be missing and missing horribly”.

He added that he and his friends felt that a woman wearing a mini-sari would become a creature subjected to public curiosity and ridicule. Which probably means that few of Fiji’s Indian women will embrace the new creation. ...

Our pictures, by Bal Ram, show, top, Fiji girl Lorrena Smith and, left, New Zealander Linda Ellice.

Crew of the Swiss yacht, Mamamouchi, recently in Rarotonga. From the left: Yves Robert, Jean Robert (master) and Pierre Gilbert. Photo: Van Eijk and Meers.

Gabrielle and Eric Lawson on the occasion of Mr. Lawson's retirement in April from Honiara Town Council, Solomon Islands. Mr. Lawson, OBE, a leading figure in the BSIP, was vice-president of the council. He is seen with a farewell gift of birds carved in Solomons timber. Photo: Ted Marriott.

Mr. D. Balfour-Ogilvy, of the P-NG Lands Department, with Mr. Fred Hargesheimer in Port Moresby. Mr. Hargesheimer, an American who is a good friend to New Guinea, had been in New Britain to open a hospital for the people who helped him when he was shot down during the war. He has already established a school. -Photo: Chin H. Meen.

The new Commissioner for India in Fiji, Mr.

A. P. Venkateswaran, who arrived in Suva with his wife, Usha, and eight year-old daughter, Kalpana, in May. Photo: Bal Ram.

Mr. and Mrs. David Seeto, recently married in Sydney, pictured in Port Moresby where they will make their home. Photo: Chin H. Meen.

Chief Secretary of the Solomon islands, Mr. L. M. Davies, secures the sash on the winner of the BSIP Charity Queen Contest, Mrs.

Esther Ho. The nine contestants raised $6,088 for the protectorate's South Pacific Games Appeal. Photo: Ted Marriott.

Married recently in Sydney: Albert Chee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chee Fong of Kavieng, and Lily Chin, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chin H. Meen, of Port Moresby.

Mr. and Mrs. Chee went to Hong Kong and Japan on their honeymoon. Photo: Chin H. Meen.

These four graduate nurses from Fiji's Central Nursing School at Tamavua received special prizes at the school's graduation ceremony in May. From left: Kushma Wati was awarded the Matron's Prize for the highest marks in obstetrics; Loraini Bogitini, the Miss Ram Samuj Cup for the highest marks in infant welfare; Margaret S. Khan, the Vera Dill-Russell Cup for the highest marks in public health and Siteri Waiwalu, the Principal's Prize for the nurse showing most progress throughout her training. -Photo: Chandra Pal.

A Prince and

a Princess

come of age

May was a right royal month in Tonga.

First, on May 4, Crown Prince Tupouto’a, son of King Taufa’ahau and Queen Mata’aho, celebrated his 21st birthday. Then, on May 8, Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu, daughter of Premier Tu’ipelehake (brother of the king) and Princess Melanaite, celebrated her 21st birthday.

It was almost a double celebration—and this was fitting, since the parents of the Prince and Princess had been married in a double ceremony — in June, 1947. Our pictures show, above. Prince Tupouto’a and Princess Siu’ilikutapu, and, at right, the royal 21-year olds, at the feast to celebrate the Princess’ birthday. With them in this picture are Prince Tui’pslehake and Princess Melanaite.

Public celebrations for Prince Tupouto’a included balls at the Dateline and Tonga Club, and Monday, May 5, was a public holiday.

The Prince goes to Oxford in September.

Photos: Tutua Bros.