THE 1950s was filled with many first for Fiji as the country slowly grew into modernisation with construction of new facilities and infrastructures that are still in use today.
Here we highlight some of the historical moments recorded by The Fiji Times throughout the 1950s, giving us an insight of what occurred during those times.
• In 1950s the accounts of Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel (AD Patel) a visionary — were well documented in The Fiji Times. Mr Patel was a champion, a defender and a voice for the Indian communities in the early 1950s. He stood up against the might of the Colonial Sugar Refining (CSR) Company to fight for better financial returns for the Indian farmers and he fought for equal political rights for Indian voters too.
• Ratu Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara returned from his studies in Oxford in 1950 and was appointed as an administrative officer.
• Ratu Kamisese Mara married Ro Litia Cakobau Lalabalavu Katoafutoga Tuisawau (better known as Lady Lala Mara) in September 1951.
• From 1952 to 1958 Ronald Herbert Garvey was the Governor of Fiji and Kenneth Maddocks later took up the position from Garvey in 1958 to 1964.
• In 1954 Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was appointed the first Speaker of the Legislative Council and two years later encouraged the formation of Fiji’s first political party — the Fijian Association under the leadership of one of his proteges Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau.
• In March, 1955 the Reverend Mother Mary Agnes who was known throughout the South Pacific for her work for over 33 years as the sister-in-charge of the Fiji Leprosy Hospital in Makogai died four days before her 85th birthday. She had gone to Makogai in October 1916, five years after the Leprosy Hospital opened on the island.
• In 1953, the first rhinoceros Beetles were recorded in Fiji, a beetle that quickly became a nuisance in the 50s to farmers.
• In 1956 Nausori experienced its first and biggest town fire ever which destroyed seven stores located in the heart of the town.
• December 1, 1956, The Fiji Times and Herald Ltd editor Alan Moyle left the newspaper and relinquished his position with the newspaper and Mr T.K McCuaig stepped in as the new editor.
• In 1956 the Governor Garvey in Lincolnshire spoke to his daughters by radio telephone thus opening the first radio telephone service between Fiji and the UK.
• In December 17, 1956 Lieblin Hoeflich won the first ever Hibiscus Festival title from the other 21 entrants who participated at the festival.
• In May 30, 1958 Fiji lost one of its greatest leaders, the late statesman Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna who died aboard the Arcadia making the front page of the newspaper on May 31, 1958 and for the entire week.
• In 1958 The Fiji Times recorded the first and biggest outbreak of polio in Fiji’s history with the colony’s Polio number recorded to be 91 cases.
• In the same year Ba and Ra suffered worst hurricane damage and Carlton Brewery (Fiji) Ltd opened at Suva (which is still operational today as the Paradise Beverages).
• In 1959 one of the two kiosks built by the City Council at the Suva Bus Station was opened for operation for the first time. The kiosk is still operational today after 58 years.
• In May 14, 1959 the first water treatment reservoir was constructed in Tamavua to store water which is still used by the Water Authority of Fiji today.
• The Lautoka Wharf was initially constructed in 1959 with the preliminary stages covered in The Fiji Times on May 25.
