LIFE IN FIJI.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1931, Page 2

LIFE IN FIJI.

HAPPENINGS IN PACIFIC

MANY THRILLS WITH SHARKS

INDIAN MOTORIST KILLED. SUVA, January 21. A few weeks ago a little Indian was run down and killed on the main road in Nausori, opposite the C.S.R. Co’s offices. Again there has been a fatality at the same spot. An elderly Indian named Bassaser Singh, who was slightly deaf, was walking along the road when he moved over to avoid a car. He failed to see a half-ton truck coming in the opposite direction. The man was caught by the mudguard and a wheel passed over his body. He was hurried to the hospital but died on the way. PECULIAR ACCIDENT. Last week a Fijian, while travelling in a motor ear, was holding a box which rested on the running hoard. The car passed a truck too finely with the result that the mail’s hand was caught and cl-tished between the box aild the truck. He was taken to the hospital, SHARKS ABOUND. The most exciting sport just now in Fiji, is fishing for sharks from the picnic islands of Nukulau, where Suvaites spend their hot week-ends. A great many large fish have been landed, the largest one hcoked being 14 feet. Last Saturday a shark lift Sin was caught after a. big fight. On Monday morning another measuring 10ft Oin was captured. But while all this is going on bathers, young and old, continue to dive off the wharf into deep, blue water alongside where the sharks are swimming. A most foolhardy piece of bravado occurred on a recent- holiday. Sharks were being fought at the wharf when the Suva launch started to make for town. Several youngsters jumped on hoard of her, and when about 100 yards off the wharf jnmiped back into the water and clamly swam ashore. This sort of thing- is getting on people’s nerves, for in spite of all warnings flip danger is laughed at and only a big tragedy will put a stop to the insane practice.

OBITUARY

Eighteen months ago Mr Thomas Errington Tanner came to Fiji for his health. He was delighted with the place and the climate and made ninny good friends, and became a member of the Fiji Club; He was kindly and Courteous and gave freely to local charity. He found it necessary to enter the hospital and after n, week died on Sunday last. He was born in. Napier, New Zealand, and fought through the Boer and Great Wars, and also in. the Mashonaland fighting. His funeral was attended by his Honor the Chief Justice, the Bishop of Polynesia, the Secretary for Native Affairs, and many leading men. The deceased had served in the Rhodesian and Mash- j onaland police, and was with Sir StonJameson. He was but 63 years of age. POISONING CASE

A rather unusual case is reported from Nandi, where an Indian man and his wife were poisoned by the drug -datura, a narcotic. Happily the dosegiven was not strong enough to prove fatal and the two recovered. A man has been arrested and will be charged with the- crime. It is very seldom that datura- is heard of here.

SPECTACULAR, NATIVE CEREMONY.

Tiie Virogorgo ceremony is one of great importance among the Fijians. It pieans “the placing on the mat” of a child of noble lineage, although it is also done with lower pedigreed people. Last Saturday it was the subject of one of the most important occasions which has happened for many years in the colony, nothing less than “the plating” of what has been described at tbe most aristocratic baby born in Fiji. He is the son of Ratu George. Oakanauto, son of the late Koto Tui Dreketi, tbe famous Fiji fighting chief and a signatory to the Deed of Cession. On the maternal side the babe lias for its mother, Adi dPrincess) Veikaba, isister of Adi Cakobau, and cousin of tbe Hon. Ratu Pope Seniloli, premier chief of Fiji, j sometimes called prince. The bnbv was held on tbe mat by a lady of title and round it gathered 1000 men (in tbe old days, warriors) each man holding a staff. At a signal they all planted their sticks on the ground so as to suggest: a fence m un d the baby as they erie' 1 loudly “Viri bai, Viri bni,” that is “Keep the devil away from the baby.”. Later all this crowd came trooping through Suva crying without ceasing “Viri bai, Viri bai.” It was a most impressive ecremom*.