hurricane

After the hurricane was over

Alleged scandals over the dis tion of rations, a complaint Rotuma that building materials equipment had been returned to and gaoling of a village tura. koro (head man) for selling rations, were unpleasant featur the aftermath of Hurricane Be Fiji.

Two government officials, Atafoa Varea, the Commis: Central, and Mr Isoa M* District Officer, Nadi, claim Nausori politician was inter: with relief operations. The mai advising people to demand ra irrespective of whether they eligible. Mr Varea said polit from both major parties were 11 people, as a political gimmic claim rations.

The Hurricane Relief Comr at the same time, announced relief supplies were intendec people who had lost subsistence crops on which they depended had no other sources of livelihc The government was concern the attitude of some people to relief supplies. They appeared gard them as a gift to which were entitled. However, aid wa plied as an interim measure tc people who would otherwise hungry.

The turaga-ni-koro gaoled, "V Vodivodi, sold a carton of rations to a Nausori shopkeepe: said he sold the rations to get i to pay for the cleaning of the 1 cemetery. The magistrate des the offence as “despicable” am Vodivodi to gaol for three mom New Zealand, which contn generously in cash, relief sir and physical assistance throug army, also sent 1,000 dozen e; relief supplies. Two Auckland Egg Distributors Ltd and P«' man’s Co-op Ltd, paid the c; packing materials and transpi Suva.

Some Rotumans complainec timber, paint and a concrete were sent back to Suva whet: could have been put to good t the island. The materials hao shipped to Rotuma to repair g ment buildings.

The Hurricane Relief Com gave free roofing iron to help < or rebuild some bure-type s*