Islands

From the

Press

From an item in The Fiji Times entitled “Beserk priest: police probe”

Police are investigating why a Hindu priest knifed his wife, chopped off her head and then drowned himself in a river. Mr Satya Nand Sharma, 52, had returned to his home in Waidalice, Tailevu, after conducting a religious ceremony when he attacked his wife, Mrs Ved Mali Sharma, 34, said Divisional Police Commander Eastern, Supt. Krishna Goundar. The Medical superintendent of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Dr Kenlal said Mrs Sharma’s condition was improving and she could talk yesterday . . .

A report on the sentencing of Jimmy Stevens after his failed escape bid, from Voice of Vanuatu.

The statement says Stevens has 42 children with 25 customary wives. Twelve children are dependent and Stevens said he’s worried about his family responsibilities.

From Voice of Vanuatu, in an article reporting on Queen Elizabeth M’s visit to the Pacific region.

Overseas reports tell of a banquet given in her honour at Funafuti, Tuvalu, at which bats, boiled bananas and blackbirds with their beaks on were served.

From a letter to The Fiji Times with the heading “Love Beach”

The section of open area from the Queen Elizabeth Drive to the beach in front of Veiuto Primary School is being shamelessly used by some immoral individuals to indulge in illicit love at all times of the day. I believe this is a public place and police could take action for misbehaviour in such a place. From morning cars are parked with couples in the rear seats engaged in immoral expressions of illicit love. The other day I witnessed while passing the section on my way to work at 7.30 a.m., two innocent school children peeping to see what was taking place inside a car.

The King of Tonga, as reported by the Tonga Chronicle, advises his people to forget about Cyclone Isaac To illustrate his point, His Majesty said: “We should throw the subject of Isaac out like the way a crafty Sumo wrestler dodged and threw his opponent out of the ring. Forget about Isaac and involve in profitable projects which lead to economic self-reliance.’’

Advertisement in The Observer, Western Samoa For all your Concrete work. Driveway, Sidewalk, Graves, Concrete Slab and all sorts of brick work. Big or Small call Henry. . .

From Comment in Voice of Vanuatu Voice letters would suggest that ni-Vanuatu are most concerned about what the Prime Minister says about other countries while he’s overseas. Concern is good. But few seem to be concerned with what is said and what is done about Vanuatu. . . Our house must be put in order as a priority. While the Prime Minister may be deeply concerned for others, it is a political ploy, and one well used, to focus attention outside the country when it’s getting hot in the kitchen. But no doubt the Prime Minister knew before he entered politics and most certainly knows now in politics there’s no thanks.

From The Observer, Western Samoa Fish, long regarded in some countries as “poor man’s meat”, is finally coming down in price to the level of the poor man’s budget in Samoa. For years we’ve been encouraging the consumption of second-rate, less nutritious tinned fish through cultural practice of presentation of cartons of tinned fish as sua, tendering systems that promote the selling of tinned fish at more affordable prices than fresh fish; and also radio advertisements that urge people to sell coconuts so that they can buy tinned fish. At this rate it is a wonder that the Fish Market has not been dedicated completely to the selling of what else? tinned fish.

From The Bulletin, Nauru “Nauru Chief’, C2RN6, a Boeing 737, was on its normal schedule service to Honiara on Thursday, 11th November when a large noddy bird passed through the port engine causing considerable damage to the first stages of the engine fan system.

From an editorial in The Observer, Western Samoa Western Samoans went from a period of hazy confusion since the beginning of the year to the present lapse of boredom which, if the feeling remains unchanged, will lead to violence. A senior police officer even quipped that police officers were restless having nothing to do because people were “too bored to commit offences’’. Everyone else, it seems, is waiting for something to happen.

From an address to the national parliament by President Ati George Sokomanu of Vanuatu, reported in Tam-Tam There are those who have sat in silence through successive sessions neither contributing to the business of government nor representing their constituencies! To those honourable members I must point out that this House is not a monastery and that they are not here under a vow of silence! They are here to actively participate in the parliamentary process, and to represent their constituencies in this parliament.

Tohi Tala Niue, reporting on the export trade For one reason or other, orders for taros have not been satisfied.

References to cricket, haircuttings and so on appear to have been cited as the reasons for this. Unfortunately those who have placed the orders cannot eat the cricket or haircuttings (a rather blunt but very Niuean way of expressing it) since it is the taros that they want.

From Tohi Tala Niue, an article on hospital property and equipment.

Hospital bed is meant for the sick person only. These beds are therefore very delicate. They are also very costly. Several beds have been rendered useless because visitors sit on them while occupied by the patient. Please when you come visiting the hospital do not sit on the patient’s bed. Remember also that the patient’s bed is an infected area, you may contract the disease by sitting on it. So this request is not only for the safety of the bed but for yours as well.

From a letter entitled “So Mankind May Benefit’ ’ published in Voice of Vanuatu The other day I had a brilliant thought and am writing to Voice of Vanuatu so that the whole of mankind may benefit. I was putting some cans of beer in the fridge, and, inadvertently, I put some in upside down. I was about to capsize them when my mind was illuminated by a flash of pure genius: “Cans are better stored upside down.’’ If cans are stored upside down, the top, from which one pours or drinks, will not collect dirt and will remain clean and uncontaminated. I ask no international recognition or financial reward for this service to civilisation, though unsolicited gifts of capsized cans (full please) will, of course, be gratefully accepted.

From the Flotsam & Jetsam column in The Fiji Times Let there be light. . . the first street lamps in Funafuti, Tuvalu, have been erected. Six lamp-posts were in place for the Queen’s visit in October, and more are on the way.