NOTES FROM FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 17

NOTES FROM FIJI.

ISLAND TOURIST SEASON. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA. May 9. The Island tourist season opened a month earlier than usual this year, one of the most popular tours being the round trip from Suva to Tonga and Samoa t>y the steamer 'lofua. About 50 tourists returned to Suva, whence some arc sailing by the Aorangi for Canada to-morrow, some for America by the Sonoma to-day and others by the "Ventura for Austialia on Saturday. The Moeraki also took one or two of them when she sailed for Australia last night. Others are returning to New Zealand by the lofua. Suva is becoming a very popular centre in this way. A party of 30 tourists who made the round trip from Suva to longa and Samoa bv the Tofua went to the island of Beoa yesterday by the auxiliary schooner Jan and witnessed a demonstration bv the famous fire-walkers. The Rev. C. W. Turner, accompanied by his wife, has arrived from lasmania to take up duty as pastor of St. Andrew's Church, lately a Presbyterian charge, but. now under Methodist control. Sir Alfred Davies and Captain launders were the guests of honour to-day at the monthly luncheon of the Suva Chamber of Commerce. Sir Alfred spoke briefly on educational problems in the South Pacific and Captain Saunders referred to the new vessels which his company hoped to build for the Australian trade. Arrangements are being made by the Suva Chamber of Commerce to entertain the Young Australia League boys as they pass through Suva on their homeward journey by the Aorangi next month. All the doctors in Suva and district attended the funeral of the late Dr. W. 15. Williams, who died on Monday afternoon, April 29, in the Suva War Memorial Hospital. The deceased, who was a passenger for Vancouver on the Niagara last month, took ill on board and, on the advice of Sir Carrick Robertson, the New Zealand surgeon, also a passenger on board, he was landed at Suva. Mrs. Williams came to Fiji by the Tofua to join her husband and for a time it was hoped that ho would recover sufficiently to make the journey back to New Zealand. The funeral took place from Holy Trinity Church, Archdeacon Hands conducting (be service. Anzac Day passed unnoticed in Suva, bpt was given full honours in other parts of the group. Splendid services were held at Nukualofa, Tonga and Apia.