News that made headlines
1960 - 1969
THESE are events that occurred between 1968 and 1978.
July 14, 1960
An attempt was made to murder the Commissioner Western, Mr H.G. McAlpine, outside his house at Natabua, in Lautoka. The assailant fired two rounds from a shotgun and Mr Mc Alpine was struck in the lower part of the body, hand and groin.
January 18, 1962
The paramount chief of the Lau Group, the Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba reveals, that the famous Fijian farewell song Isa Lei originated from Tonga, but he wrote the Fijian words.
January 28, 1963
Lightning killed three men and a young woman in the Nadi area. Eight other persons suffered shock when the lightning bolt struck at Nawaqadamu , where three of the deaths occurred. The young woman was killed at Yavuma.
February 4, 1963
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Fiji. The 24-hour stay was the climax to much preparation, elaborate decoration and extensive organisation.
April 1, 1964
A 43-year-old woman Seini Wakesa, a survivor from the inter-island trading cutter
Kadavulevu, which sank in the Koro Sea on Easter Sunday (March 29) was washed ashore on Nasoata Island at the mouth of the Rewa River.
April 2, 1964
Two more survivors from the Kadavulevu disaster, 10-year-old Viliame Qele, of Nasonini, Suva, and 49-year-old Nina Rareba, of Vatuwaqa, were discovered clinging to a raft a mile and a half from Nasoata.
March 1, 1965
Police riot squad quells trouble at Suva Gaol after prisoners refuse to obey orders.
March 2, 1965
Archbishop of Cantebury, Dr Michael Ramsay) arrives for three-day visit, lays foundation stone for Pacific Theological College.
January 1, 1966
The drought at Suva which had lasted several months resulted in an order being made banning the use of drinking water for car-washing or garden watering.
February 22, 1966
60,000 Fiji stamps printed in the wrong colour.
June 9, 1966
Pacific Theological College at Veiuto, Suva opened and dedicated.
June 29, 1966
Work started on the new Methodist church at Butt St, Suva.
March 3, 1967
It was found that there are five Fijian-Eskimos living at a place called Tutuyaktik in the Arctic Circle region of Canada — descendants of a Fijian who lived in the region as a fur trapper.
April 4, 1967
Queen Mata’aho of Tonga arrived in Fiji and met members of the Tongan community.
April 14, 1967
A tiny piece of charcoal found by Miss Elizabeth Shaw then Relieving Director of the Fiji Museum, near Ba revealed that Fiji was inhabited in 1290BC -800 years earlier than was previously thought.
July 1, 1967
The Fiji Development Bank was established.
November 22, 1967
More than 70 employees of The Fiji Times and Herald Ltd went on strike but returned some days later.
March 16, 1968
Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu, Tui Cakau of Cakaudrove died, aged 52.
April 3, 1968
The Chief Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara warned in Legislative Council that authors of racial incitement might turn the Fijian people against them.
April 8, 1968
Vatukoula gold miners began a 48-hour protest strike after allegations that a company supervisor swore at some workers.
April 27, 1968
The Royal Mint in London received an order from Fiji for 28,700,000 decimal coins.
October 1, 1968
Suva’s new Nubukalou Creek Bridge, built at a cost of 28,000 pounds ($F158,000) is opened to ease traffic congestion in the city’s centre.
September 11, 1969
Sigatoka’s main water supply source dried up and the township was drawing from a borehole.
September 12, 1969
More than half Fiji’s last set of pounds, shillings, penny stamps had to be destroyed because they were printed and put on sale shortly before the Colony’s conversion to decimal currency.