ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 23

ISLAND NEWS.

OUR FIJI LETTER. SUVA, November 13. For the first time a clergyman has visited the lonely islands of Nauru and Ocean. Owing to the courtesy of the Phosphate Company, the Rev. W. E. Coates is visiting them, and will remain there for a month. It is hoped to make the visit an annual one.

Two young men, employees .of the Works Department, have in their spare time completed two beautiful small aeroplanes similar to Gipsy moths. The Secretary of State has issued arbitrary instructions that they are not to be allowed to fly them. When Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith was here a fortnight ago he was taken to _ see the machines, and was delighted with them. He said they were beautifully made and strong, and he would have no hesitation in going up in either of them. The death has just been reported to the Methodist Mission Synod of a. native minister named Jutasa Boginiso, who many years ago was appointed to accompany the Rev. Thomas Baker when he set - out on that ill-fated expedition wherein he was massacred by the mountain tribes. After proceeding some miles up the Rewa River on the way inland, Jutasa injured his foot so badly that it was found necessary for him to return home. In this way he saved his life, as the party wag. all massacred on the lone mountain track except two. He died aged 86 years.

When the Hon. Alport Barker moved that the Government adopt a vigorous loan policy, the acting-Governor accepted the motion as an expression of opinion of the elected members. During the debate it was disclosed that out of the large sum of nearly one million borrowed, only £70,000 to £80,000 had been spent on roads and bridges. The local Press denounces the Government for its dormant policy, which it is stated consists largely of building nice houses for superior civil servants.