Farzan vs Sebestain

Sukha Singh, Labasa

It was very nice of Farzan to quit in the first round of their fight.

He didn’t have the reach or the fitness. When you don’t have the fitness even a light punch hurts.

I know because I also have fought without tiring a few times, but I never quit like brother Farzan.

People budget

Noor Dean, Melbourne, Australia

As always, congratulations to the Bainimarama Government and in particular to the two architects of this massive Budget and programme for the year 2017-18.

Mr Bainimarama’s stewardship of the nation is evidence of the cultural and revolutionary economic reforms underway in the country since his Government came to power.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has displayed a rare and most responsible attitude to Financial Management and Economic Growth projections are ambitious and achievable.

It has a one-way ticket to success written all over it – “Upwards!”.

God bless Fiji and grant our country, Fiji, the happiness and goodwill, the improvement and success it deserves under the leadership of our PM and his deputy.

Book by Norman Yee

Taitusi Sokiveta, USA

On the anniversary celebration of Marist   Brothers Schools Norman Yee’s book on  Saint Felix Primary School and Columbus Primary School is so very true. Since every two to three years Fiji Police officers and their families got transferred to different towns, because my late father was a Police officer, I got to attend different primary schools  all over Fiji. 

In 1956, I started at Saint Felix, now known as Marist Brothers Primary School. It was   so true in those days you had to be part-european or European to attend Saint Felix. I was able to attend because my  late  mother,  Ruby Evans, lied to the European Jesuit  priest about me.

This enabled me to enroll. She went with her late brother, my uncle, Arthur Evans, and that’s how I was accepted.   

My name was Juju Evans in those days and being young, I thought that was my real name, until my mother passed away in 1960. 

My grandparents, then, moved in with us  at the old Naitonitoni Navua Police Station. That’s when I realised that I was from Bau  Island and iTaukei. But in those days in colonial Fiji, the Europeans who were mostly British, were in charge of everything. My father could only reach Sergeant because all the Europeans were Police officers.

I remember Domain Road and Sukuna Road were an all-European residential area. The only thing that was iTaukei in the middle of it was Draiba Fijian School. When you climbed up the hill to go to Laucala Bay,  there was no road back then, you would come  down Suva Grammar School and most of the students were Europeans.

I hardly saw any Indo-Fijian or iTaukei student. Suva Grammar School was built for  European students whose parents worked in Fiji in those days. Later on, it was opened to  everyone.

I remember on Saturday nights at the Phoenix theatre, it was European night at 8 pm. They would all dress up so nice like they were going to the opera. The owner, Mr Crawford, would wear a black suit and a tie. The Fijian ticket window guy would wear a bow tie.

One thing about the British and Europeans,  they know how to dress for special occasions. Not like the Americans; they did not  care what they wore as long as it fits.

Norman Yee brought  back memories of  those years. I loved reading his book. We  need more writers to tell their stories because once they pass away, we would miss  what Fiji was like in those long gone yesteryears.   

Street names

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

Street names seem to be misspelled after the installation of new street name plates.

Two that have been identified in Lautoka are ‘Amatai St’ instead of ‘Aimatai St’ and ‘Java Pl’ is now ‘Sava Pl’.

Makes one wonder how those responsible are capable of making these minor spelling errors. I suggest they secure the services of my kai, Paula Qereti, for spell checks.

Women’s rights

James Bachu, Nadi

Today, women’s rights are in the front line particularly in Fiji undermining men for their ‘macho image’.

I think it is necessary to put in laws to protect men also from irresponsible but clever women who are around even after Delilah’s time.

A real woman is a woman who is considerate, understanding, kind, caring, loving and stern in a relationship with their other half.

Feedback: ranobab@fijisun.com.fj