ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 21

ISLAND NEWS.

OUR FIJI LETTER.

OX THE QUI VIVE

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, July 4.

In honour of Independence Day, the lately appointed Consul, Mr. Q. Roberts, with his wife, Dr. .Roberts, gave an at home at their pretty home in Suva, on July 4. There was a very large attendance, including the Governor and leading officials and townsmen, and their wives and families. Increasing Tourists. The optimism which has been urging the Fiji Government to encourage the tourist traffic is bearing out its own justification. The manager of the tourist bureau reports that for the six months the total number of tourists was some 2300 as against 650 for the same period for 1925. The number has doubled in three years. It is also noteworthy that most of the Suva boardiiighouses are making additions to their establishments. Rockefeller's Representative. Dr. Heiser, the head of the Rockefeller Foundation outside work, who is on a tour of inspection, expressed his keenest satisfaction when he found that, when looking for hookworm patients, he was only ablo to do so with much difficulty. Considering that only a few years ago, ere Dr. Lambert started his Rockefeller campaign, hook-worm was everywhere, the clearing out of the pest is a matter of the greatest congratulation. Dr. Heiser said that he was very pleased indeed. On the day after his arrival he visited Makogai at the invitation of the Government, to inspect the leper settlement. His activities in the field of leprosy have made him famous. He was the pioneer of Culiong, the biggest leper settlement in the world. He has been a member of the Foundation Board since 1915. Solomons Plea. Correspondence from the Solomons shows that the idea of a Crown colony has taken a fast hold on the minds of both European and natives in the protectorate. At the last meeting of the Planters' Association the chairman (Mr. G. Clift) said that the recent murders at Malaita was one of the strongest arguments for the conversion of the group into a Crown colony. It was decided to voice this* j view when the Crown Commissioner visits the group this month. Y.A. League. Mr. Edward Marie, -when passing through Suva recently, made full arrangements for the welcome and enjoyment of the 150 to 200 members of the Young Australian League, when they will pass through the capital of Fiji, en ronte to America and Canada. The boys will parade at the King's wharf, and headed by their own band will march to Government House, where they will be inspected and entertained by His Excellency. They will later be received and welcomed by the Mayor, who, with the co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce, will arrange for the boys to be driven round the chief sights of the town and district. Indian Anniversary. May 15, 1929, will be the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first Indian coolies by the "steamer Leonidas in Fiji. A leading Indian recently ar- • rived sees in the event something which i should be commemorated, although I there are many who would fain leave s guch a memory well alone, as it is re- ' yarded by some as the beginning of all their woes. Shri Krishna Sharma, an Arya missionary, asks his countrymen " to prepare to celebrate the event as a jubilee or Ardha Tatabdi- He also echoes ! the spirit of. the times when he sug- -• gests that during tlie festival there ' should be educational and stscial conferences. i.* V