January 21, 1985
In sports, national soccer team manager Jahir Khan was stripped of his post because he failed to return to work on time. According to the report published in the newspaper, Khan’s sacking came as a result of his non-appearance at the Fiji youth team’s camp at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi. It is said, he left for Canada on December 14 for a three-week holiday and was due to return on January 5. Then Fiji FA President Hari Pal Singh labelled Jahir’s disappearance as “highly irresponsible and very careless”. The sixth SPG was held in Fiji from August 28 to September 8, 1979. Fiji was placed third behind French Polynesia managing 22 gold, 16 silver and 24 bronze medals.
January 21, 1978
17, 000 jobless
FIGURES obtained by the Ministry of Labour then revealed that 17,000 people around the country are unemployed. The report said, this was an increase of 5000 from last year. Provincial census revealed that 116,930 people were out of jobs including 2558 school leavers. That meant that of an estimated total labour force of 180,000 nearly 10 per cent are unemployed. The number of fully paid employed people is estimated at 90, 000.
Need a national fire service – PM
The late prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara on this date announced there was a need for a national fire service in Fiji. According to the article, Ratu Mara was wary of the growing population and increased settlements. Ratu Mara said, to reduce fire hazard potential, Cabinet had approved in principle the formation of a national fire authority.
“In due course what is required is a national fire service, probably divided into divisions,” the late Prime Minister is reported to have said.
Sports
South Pacific Games fundraising committee chairman Ikbal Jannif said his committee had been given a target of $100, 000 to raise by August of 1979, in order to host the SPG. He said, a lottery was one of sources of income for staging the 1979 SPG. “We do feel however that as a main source of income we run a lottery with a number of large prizes.”
January 21, 1960
New Grammar School bus services
The Transport Control Board announced routes and operators for the new Suva Grammar School bus services. The service will be between Nausori, Sawani and Suva suburbs and Veiuto, Suva Point.
Third Burglary at Suva store
It was reported the KW March Ltd’s general store in Marks St, Suva was broken into for the third time in a little over a month with more than 200 pounds ($F600) worth of radios, liquor and fish-hooks being stolen. Managing director Edmund March said the store was first broken into on December 9 and then January 1.
First headmaster of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna School welcomed
On this day, it was reported the late Mr WE Donnelly was appointed as the first headmaster of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Memorial School. Mr Donelly had been working in New Zealand when he received a letter from the late prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who was Secretary of the Fiji Affairs then, about his appointment. Mr Donelly was reported to have said, that one of the main reason why he accepted the appointment was that he wanted to serve the Fijian people. “I could not think of anything I would rather do, because it was a Fijian project. I would be pleased to meet your sons and daughters if they will attend the school, I hope they will make themselves known to me,” Mr Donelly is reported to have told the Toorak Old Boys Association when he was officially welcomed at the Jubilee Hall. Alifereti Koroi presented the qaloqalovi, Epeli Bola the sevusevu and Joeli Weleilakeba the tataunaki.
