Fotofili’s story of
PERSEVERANCE and dedication were “guiding lights'' during Falekawa Fotofili's career as a policeman — a story of success.
This was according to an article reported by in December, 1975.
Retired Sergeant Fotofili had served Fiji with distinction.
He looked back with satisfaction at the role he played in maintaining law and order for some 35 years before hanging up his baton for the last time on November 26, 1975.
“But it was not that simple. I feel going through it all was a personal triumph for me,” said Mr Fotofili.
Despite his limited education, Mr Fotofili struggled consistently executing orders given by superiors to the best of his ability.
Mr Fotofili was born in Sawana Village, Lomaloma, Lau in 1919.
He joined the Royal Fiji Police Force at the age of 21.
His early years in the force were ones of difficulties.
“One must be prepared to work his way through against the odds and I was glad I managed.”
Mr Fotofili said work demanded from recruits was strenuous and challenging compared with the situation nowadays (1970s).
Physical attributes were essential in his days because of the nature of the work.
He said the concept of policing was becoming more scientific and apart from the basics, a policeman had a wider scope.
He said young people needed certain educational qualification to be able to enter the force.
“This is the last year when the force will be recruiting young people with the minimum qualification of a secondary school certificate (Year 8),” he added.
He said in 1976, the minimum qualification was a Fiji Junior Certificate.
November 1
TAXI operators throughout Fiji have reacted strongly to the increase in petrol price and are asking for immediate increases in taxi fares. Taxi unions in the Southern, Western and Northern divisions said unless an immediate fare increase was made the taxi industry would collapse. November 2
A South Pacific Regional Civil Aviation Council will be established to investigate, advice and make recommendations to the South Pacific Forum on the development of civil aviation in the region. This follows a recommendation by regional civil aviation ministers at a meeting in Nauru. President Hammer de Roburt of Nauru has been elected interim chairman of the council. November 3
An exhibition of New Zealand-made stationery will open today at the New Zealand High Commission's office at Ratu Sukuna House in Suva. Eleven manufacturers have mounted the three-day display which is the first of its type to be held in Fiji. One alone is showing nearly 100 lines and in general the display ranges from the latest in self-adhesives and baby record books to filing systems and electronic computers. The display is open only to local businessmen who deal in stationery products.
November 4
Thirteen people have been given until the end of next month to quit the illegal shacks they live in on land Suva City Council wants for a park. They were originally served with demolition orders last February but the council later suspended these for nine months so that people in the shacks could find other accommodation. November 5
The South Pacific Women's Regional Conference wants schools and adults education programs to inform women about the advantage of breast-feeding infants. A conference representative, Claire Slatter, said the reasoning behind the recommendation on breast feeding was
“This is an indication of how far the development in the force has gone,” he added.
He said recruitment was bent on character and intelligence.
“After having said all this, I would say the sophistication in the present setup was necessary to fight the increasing crime rate.
“The police force today faces this battle against crime and I would admit it is a formidable task.”
Mr Fotofili spent four years in basic training at the Nasova Police Training School after which he was stationed at the Central Police Station.
In the following 10 years, Mr Fotofili worked with the water police force guarding Kings Wharf during World War II.
Then for another four years he was guard commander at the Government House and the Treasury.
At this point Mr Fotofili had attained the rank of corporal. In 1960 Mr Fotofili and two others attended a course on dog training in New Zealand for six months.
On their return they established a dog training school at Nasova with the help of British expertise. He spent 14 years in this section.
Mr Fotofili served in the port police (formerly water police) before his retirement at the age of 56.
“I have really enjoyed being a policeman and am thankful for choosing a rewarding career.”
■
Retired policeman Sergeant Falekawa
Fotofili. based on family health. Traditionally women in the Pacific breast-fed their children. But these days they were influenced by baby food and milk powder advertisements to believe bottle feeding was better.
November 6
More than 150 members of the Airline Workers' Union at Nadi have won a 36 per cent pay rise, bringing their basic hourly wage to $1.12, according to reliable sources. The increase was believed to be the biggest negotiated by any union this year, the sources said. The 150 workers employed by the Australian airline Qantas have received substantial increases in fringe benefits also.
November 7
Rakiraki experienced heavy flooding which disrupted communications on Tuesday, but the situation returned to normal yesterday after round-the-clock efforts by the district ad-ministration and Ministry of Works. The assistant district officer at Rakiraki, Jone Nakota, told the Fiji Times late yesterday afternoon that the Ministry of Works gangs were still repairing Drauniivi bridge, between Tavua and Rakiraki, which had been washed away.
November 8
Skeleton staffs were struggling last night to prevent Vatukoula's gold mines from being flooded following a strike by 1700 employees of the Emperor Gold Mining Company. The men went on strike at midnight on Wednesday but were joined at 4pm yesterday by essential service workers in the company's power station. November 10
Fiji policemen will get a 20 per cent increase in salary from January 1 next year, and further rises on April 1. This was announced by the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. "Under a new and energetic Commissioner of Police, and with increasing support from the public we are just now beginning to see some impact made on crime in Fiji, "he said.
November 12
A proposed four week Ministry of Youth work camp at Somosomo, for rural youths in Taveuni, may begin a few days later than planned. It was to begin on Monday, but unexpected delays in ministry officials getting to Somosomo this week could delay it until Friday. Officials from Suva will attend the camp as training staff and camp supervisors, under the leadership of the senior education officer for youth and sports, Inoke Tabualevu.
November 13
Labasa Town Council has decided to recall tenders for the construction of the town's proposed civic centre, because the original winner of the contract, Labasa Builders has demanded more money. Labasa Builders originally quoted $166,000 for the job but the Fiji Times understands it now wants a further $31,500. The town clerk, Mohammed Khan, told the monthly meeting $17,000 in rates was outstanding. The council has referred the matter to its solicitors. November 14
Results of the Lautoka Town Council elections should be known by midnight tomorrow, according to the returning officer, Mr Vishnu Chand. He told the Fiji Times yesterday that votes counting would begin at about 8pm and was likely to complete by 11.30pm. The council's elections will be held tomorrow. Both the Alliance and the National Federation Party are contesting the election.
November 15
The strike by over 100 members of the Fiji Municipal Workers' Union's Lautoka branch entered its second day yesterday with no sign of any settlement. But a threatened nationwide strike by union members did not happen. Union members went on strike on Wednesday following a deadlock in their negotiations over a new log of claims lodged with the council.
November 16
Remembrance parades and services for war fallen heroes will be held in most of Fiji's towns tomorrow. The ceremony outside Suva Civic Centre will be attended by the Governor-General Ratu Sir George Cakobau, and the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Detachments of the Royal Fiji Military Forces will begin assembling outside the town hall at 8.40am and the RFMF band will play during the ceremony. November 17
The new airstrip on Gau Island should be ready for use by the middle of 1976. A Public Works Department spokesman said the progress on the strip was satisfactory. "There have not been any major problems but progress depends on shipping." he said. The people of Gau are looking forward to the opening of the airstrip said Semisi Seru, a member of the mataqali which jointly owns the land with the Ratu Mai Lovu (chief of Gau).
November 18
The arbitrator in a dispute between the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union is likely to announce his award within a few weeks. A Government backbencher, Mosese Qionibaravi, was appointed the sole arbitrator when the parties agreed to refer their differences to arbitration. The dispute is over contracts being given to private contractors at Labasa and Penang sugar mills.
November 19
Suva and Lautoka residents will elect new municipal councils after being the target for the most intensive, municipal election campaigns mounted in Fiji. The electioneering has come from the Alliance and National Federation parties, which are out to capture control of the councils. Voting in both towns will start at 7.30am and end at 6.30pm.
November 20
FINE-quality craftwork produced by girls taking vocational training courses at the YWCA will be on sale at a fair in the Community Resource Centre building, Sukuna Park, on November 29.