Today in History
The 25-year-old thief from Malau was convinced he would die if he did not confess, Labasa court heard.
Saturday, October 10, 1981 1956
Rakuro only Fiji athlete for Olympics
Wednesday, October 10, 1956
MESULAME Rakuro was selected at an athletic meeting at Buckhurst Park to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games when he broke his own discus record with a throw of 156ft. 10 ¼ inches. Athletes who had been under consideration for the games also competed at the meet. Mesulame will be the only athlete from Fiji but two yachtsmen and two boxers will also compete.
1960
Pacific cable jobs
Monday, October 10, 1960
AN investment was to be made in Fiji during the development of the transpacific section of the British Commonwealth cable system said the general manager of the Overseas Telecommunications Commission of Australia, T.A Housley, who had been at Suva for discussions about the project with engineers and officials of Cable and Wireless. The investment was to create many jobs in the area especially in the construction industry. The main construction project was a communications building at Samabula where power, testing and relay equipment was to be housed. It was also to be used for separating the circuits that will be used.
1970
Jubilant Fiji gains its nationhood
Saturday, October 10, 1970
THE world’s newest nation came into being at midnight. After 96 years of colonial administration, Fiji became an independent sovereign state. It joins a small group of dominion nations sharing a heritage of British parliamentary democracy. Late last night the streets of the capital, Suva were thronged with people of half a dozen races and a dozen languages celebrating nationhood. The end of Fiji’s status as a British Crown Colony was signified at sunset with the lowering of the Union Flag in an emotion-charged ceremony at Albert Park. It was watched by Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, who handed Fiji’s constitutional documents to the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara at the park.
1981
Thief admits all after surgery
Saturday, October 10, 1981
BEING admitted to hospital and operated on soon after making a successful break-in was punishment for the crime, a Labasa thief thought. The 25-yearold thief from Malau was convinced he would die if he did not confess, Labasa court heard. He owned up to a staff nurse at Labasa Hospital and was sentenced to nine months by magistrate Karunairetnam. He admitted breaking, entering and larceny at a shop. Constable Jagendra Prasad, prosecuting said the thief had entered the toolshed of Fiji Forest Industries at Malau by forcing open a widow and stole an electric chainsaw worth $800.