HOLIDAYS IN FIJI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 8

HOLIDAYS IN FIJI

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS JOCKEYS IN BARE FEET [teom oue ows coehespo.vdkxt] SUVA, Jan. 3 With horse racing resumed after a lapse of a number of years, and with dances and other celebrations commencing at midnight on December 31. the recent New Year celebrations were perhaps the most active known in Fiii for several years. Despite the recent falls in the price of copra the sucar industry, which has been very prosperous this year, and the recent covery of gold at Tav;aa have done much to induce a more optimistic outlook, and this was reflected in a verv busy time for the shops prior to the Christmas and New Year holidavs.

Owing to New Year's Day falling on a Monday, somewhat of an innovation was seen this year in the holding of a public dance at one of the leading hotels, commencing at midnight on Sunday. Proceedings actually commenced at 11 o'clock when supper was served, but the permit for the dance and the sale of liquor did not operate until midnight. Dancing then continued until daybreak, despite the fact that the temperature during the dav had registered 92 degrees in the shade. Races were held on Boxing Day and on the Saturday afternoon prior to New Year's Day, and on both days the meetings were largely attended, not only by Europeans, but also by Fiiians and Indians, who take a keen interest, in the sport. Indians and Fijians formed the bulk of the riders, and to the visitor their colours and equipment; often causes not a little amusement. The riders, both Indian and Fijian, ride in bare feet, generally holding themselves in the stirrup irons by the big toe. On occasions the stirrup irons are dispensed with and are left to flap against the flanks of the horse while the big toe finds a hold in the stirrup leather. However, these trifling departures from Ellerslie customs and habits are not allowed to detract from the enjoyment of the racing, and on both days very enjoyable sport vras experienced.