FIJI AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1930, Page 5

FIJI AFFAIRS

[United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.)

"SUVA, 'sl av 13

The Legislative, Council opened .today, the Governor, Sir Murchison Fletcher presiding. He -presented to Captain Edwarcj . i wentyirian, harbour master Suva,. Badge Civil Division Member British Empire. The Oapain’s record includes:—At the age 'of sixteen, lie received a gold watch for a fescue at a fire. in 1884 he a gallant. rescue of a drowning man at'Capetown (Bcxtanfc.) ‘ln 1898 in Sydney ''Harbour he rescued a drowning ihan and was awarded the silver medal of the. Humane Society. In 1919 at Levuka (Fiji) he rescued the master of the’ 1 ship, King Cyrus, from poisonous fumes. lor this he was awarded- the silver medal of the Humane Society and the gold Stanhope medal 1 for'the most • meritorious deed of the"-year. 1 - In 'June, 1920, he' assisted in-erescuing a drowning passenger off Suva harbour. A 1 ijian boatman, Aliki, alsp received• the M.B.E. for assisting in the last incident. The Governor's, address at the opening of ; .the Council met with the approval of the colonists. The- 1929 revenue amounted to £678,000 ; and expenditure £642,000, a surplus of £194,-000.He emphasised the.- need for economic .development.

The absence: of malaria was 1 an as-set-.of incalculable value, The Government favoured an extensive road development of Vitilevu and provision /or;, the inauguration of an inter-island- air service and a new.; Canadian, - Aiiatrdlian and New Zealand mail subsidy. He also emphasised the necessity of a steamer remaining six horns- in -daylight. An -exhaustive exposition of Indian education was favoured. Vocational training affected 6.339 of the Indian population. Fiji students' compared with 3.47 in India.

Hje eujlogised (ttlije Cifonial (Sugar {Refining Company’s I ‘.achievement with Indian tenants.’eiaiuhU

Regarding Indian representation in the. Legislative., he. was prepared to {issue; a uwrit <.if cany-’;division desired representation. .•so'/bVV’