EVENTS IN FIJI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 7

EVENTS IN FIJI.

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT.

EFFECT OF A HURRICANE.

OUTLYING ISLAND FERTILISED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, July 29.

While all sorts of quarrels are going on Detween Mohammedans and Hindus— quarrels "which recently have given the impression of trouble ahead before long —the question of defence is not being overlooked. A modern machine-gun section has been formed, with a Vickers gun. It is under Captain Fprster, who has had a good training in such work. At the first practice "shoot" the men did very well. Besides this, the local defence force is equipped with Lewis guns. Air Mail Services. Fiji has not only got her own air mail 'plane but she has a second 'plane in reserve. The oflicial 'plane, a Spartan, on Mondays flics with mails and one passenger to Lautoka, and on each alternative Thursday flies either to Labasa, via Lcvuka, or to Savu Savu and Taviuni, via Levuka. On more than one occasion she lias carried officials on business, and the service has already proved quite a boon. For instance, the people of Lautoka get their overseas mail several days earlier than was the case previously, and Labasa one to two ivccks earlier. Chinese Vice-Consul. Another notable event in the history of the Chinese invasion of Fiji was seen on Thursday, when Mr. C. L. Cheng, from the Sydney office, arrived to take up his duties as Vice-ConsuL for China in the colony. He is a young man with a perfect knowledge of English, and a courteous manner. He received a hearty welcome on Friday from the local branch of the Kuo Min Tang, and on Saturday was welcomed by a large gathering of his countrymen, when he congratulated them upon being a very happy family. New Solicitor. On Friday last, at the Supreme Court, on the motion of Sir Henry Scott, K.C.. Mr. William Lambert Davidson was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Fiji. Mr. Davidson was born in the colony, and after studying in New Zealand qualified in his profession. He will probably practise at Labasa, a well-known sugar centre. Salt a Fertiliser. An unusual experience as far as Fiji is concerned was reported by the natives of the Yasawas group when the Kev. R. L. McDonald, chairman of the Methodist Mission, recently visited the islands. Ho found that during the hurricane last December the wind drove the sea spray right over the island, which at its highest point is some 740 ft. As a result all the vegetation seemed to die, for everything withered up. Then the new growth came along, and now never in the lifetime of the present generation has such prolific growth been seen. It would appear that the salt spray has really fertilised the whole islands.

At the isolated island of Viwa, standing away out by itself in the ocean, the most westerly part of Fiji, Mr. McDonald found what is evidently the oldest Fijian native in the group". He is named Sailasa, and he says he is over 100 years old. He told of shipwrecks unknown to any living man or woman on the island, and of huge tidal waves which swept right over the island, carrying death and destruction in their wake.