A lover's look at Fiji

Books, good and bad have arrived regularly about New Guinea in recent years. The same is now happening with another territory, Fiji.

The latest Fiji book to turn up at PIM is Fiji-Many Flower ing Islands, written by a Canadian lawyer, Mr. C. A, Perkins, who wandered through the colony several years ago.

Mr. Perkins visited many of the lesser known islands in the Fiji group and the result is a charming collection of anecdotes and personal glimpses at the life of the people he so obviously loves.

More than a travel book or a guide to Fiji, it is a racy account

of a keen observer taking an objective look at a people. Local photographer Rob Wright has dozens of his pictures dotted through the book as are many of the author’s own pen draw ings.

The fascinating history of Fiji is given with great gusto and, with some local myths and legends thrown in for good measure, this book seems just the job for extra-curious tourists who would like to know a little more about the islands they are visiting. Come to that, many local Fijians could find a lot of information in this book.

(Fiji-Many Flowering Islands,

Collins, $4.75).