May 8 events in history
Tuesday, May 8, 1979
Iguana Colony Lost
A COLONY of Fiji’s rare banded iguanas was among victims of Saturday night’s floods at Veisari. The colony lived at the Orchid Island cultural and tourist centre under the care of Ivy Watkins. She had bred several of the rare reptiles, including a new crested type.
School trips are out
The word has gone out to civil servants – picking up your children after school is a no-no. Don’t do it. The Public Service Commission threatened disciplinary action against government officers who took time off to pick up children from school.
Thursday May 8, 1969
Sewerage situation frightening
SUVA’S sewerage problem was assuming “frightening proportions”, a Medical Department report said. But nothing had been done although an approach by the Suva City Council to the Government two years ago brought a reply in December 1967 that the matter was “under urgent consideration”.
New primary school for Samabula
WORK begun on a new $50,000 primary school in Samabula, three miles off Nabua Road. The school was to be known as the Anand Kutir Primary School. It would have eight classrooms and expected to be completed by the end of the 1969. Negotiations were underway with the Government for a building grant.
Friday, May 8, 1981
29 more pine men held
A TOTAL of 29 landowners appeared in the Nadi Court
1979 1969 1981
in two separate lots facing charges of obstruction, disobeying a lawful order and unlawful assembly. The first lot of 16 appeared in the morning after being arrested near Nabou Pine Station where they allegedly put up a roadblock.
Seven avenge death with fire bomb
A group of villagers fire-bombed a shop and home at Nabukavesi Village near Navua because they believed the shopkeeper had killed the daughter of one of them by witchcraft, the Suva Court heard. Seven Nabukavesi villagers appeared in court on charges of arson, throwing objects, breaking and entering and conspiracy to commit arson.
Saturday, May 8, 1976
New wage rates
announced
THE Ministry of Labour announced new minimum wage rates for road and transport and wholesale and retail trade workers. The secretary of the road and transport wage council, Michael Maharaj, who together with the wholesale and retail council drew up the wage increase, told The Fiji Times that the increases took effect the previous Monday.
Festival to help choir
A FESTIVAL was held at the Royal Fiji Military Forces’ married quarters ground to help raise enough money to send a choir to Australia before the end of the year. A spokesman for the festival told The Fiji Times that they were trying to raise about $11,000 to help pay for the fare of about 20 church choir members for a tour of Australia.
1979