FIJI ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 283, 30 November 1933, Page 10

FIJI ISLAND NEWS.

SUVA RATES AGAIN REDUCED. LIGHTHOUSE TRAGEDY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, November 22. When so many municipalities are raising rates, the city of Suva is showing the Government and outsiders tliat the council knows low to manage its own affairs. It has decided to lower the general rate ,which, includes the sewerage and education rates) from Bfd to Sid. It was lid in 1025. The electricity charge is to be reduced for lighting from 8d to 7id. The rate was 9d in 1923. Consumers outside the town will pay Bid instead of 9d. The power rates will also bo lowered, viz., outside area, from 2Jd to 2d; inside area, from 2Jd to 2d; meter rents, from 1/ -per month to 6d. In addition, there are to be very large reductions for power consumers during the day, the minimum being only Id per unit. This speaks well for the careful management of the council.

After a spell of five years local enthusiasts have decided to start racing again on Brighton Park racecourse. The opening meeting will take place on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Tragedy seems to have visited the lonely lighthouse of Wailagilala, the farthest out beacon in the Fiji group. Mr. Jay, a well known Fiji resident, has been in charge at the lighthouse since 1924. He had two Indian assistants. These men declare that he disappeared on November 3, and they have found no trace of him since. Dr. Foskitt visited the lighthouse shortly after and took statements from the two Indians, but wliat he chronicled has not been made available.

Mr. A. E. S. Howard, district commissioner, has been appointed to act as British Consul and Agent at Tonga during the absence of Mr. J. S. Neill, on holiday. Mr. Howard will leave by the steamer Waipahi about December 2. Maynard Hedstrom, son of Sir Mayliard Hedstrom, was injured in Melbourne through his car crashing into a telegraph post. The young man has shown bright qualities in his studies and at sport, and his progress has been watched with much interest by local people. His eye was injured by his head crashing through the windscreen. The Customs revenue for the period of ten months, ended October 31, shows an increase of £12,234 over the estimates. The revenue was £257,816, of' which £227,733 came from import duties.