Fiji Postcards 1950

FIJI Postcards IV

1950 - 1970

Postcards from the private collection of Rod Ewins.

Fiji was thoroughly disrupted by World War 2, and though of course postcards were sold from numerous outlets during that period, there was relatively less original photography produced by commercial firms. During the late 1940s this picked up momentum and during the 1950s much new work appeared, also utilising contemporary printing techniques. With the advent of wide-bodied jet aircraft in the 1960s, tourism burgeoned and created a great demand for souvenirs, particularly postcards. As well, colour technology improved, and there were a great number of new colour postcards produced.

Many of the cards below were photographed by Roland R.I. ("Roly") Stinson and the late Charles (later Sir Charles) Stinson, sons of W.J. Bolton Stinson, the founder of the original Stinsons Studios. The Stinson brothers were perhaps the most important of the post-war commercial photographers, as distinct from the unrivalled official photographer, Rob Wright. Like Rob, they recorded the scenery of Fiji and the life of the people of all ethnicities. Roland was the principal photographer for Stinsons during the 1940s and early 1950s, after which he left Fiji and moved to Perth, Western Australia, to live.* After that time Charles was the principal photographer. He was also for a number of years prominent in local government politics and finally retired to the Gold Coast of Queensland. The post - World War II Stinson Studios photographs, like those of John Bolton Stinson in an earlier time, often go beyond being mere "postcard snapshots" and provide an aesthetically and culturally aware image of Fiji in the last days of its colonial era. During the 1950s and 1960s, they were also local pioneers in using the emergent colour film technology, particularly Kodak's Ektachrome positive transparency film, which was at that time regarded as the best for producing print reproductions.

*My thanks for information provided by Roland's daughter, Joanne Gonzales.

1. Scenery

	"Village by the Sea, Fiji". 5B.H213. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher, possibly Stinsons.Almost certainly early 1950s. The scene is very probably on what is now called 'The Coral Coast', the stretch of the southern coastline of Vitilevu between Serua and Cuvu.
	"Opalescent Waters, Cuva, Fiji". 5B.H210. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher, possibly Stinsons.Almost certainly early 1950s. The area is actually called Cuvu, not Cuva, and is west of Sigatoka on the Coral Coast.
	"Blue Lagoon, Fiji". 5B.H208. Unused colour-printed postcard. . No publisher, possibly Stinsons. Almost certainly early 1950s. Impossible to localise, but given that this was part of a series, may very well also have been taken on the Coral Coast. The title perhaps intentionally echoes that of the 1949 British film "Blue Lagoon", starring a young Jean Simmons, one of the first shot in Fiji (in the Yasawa Islands, as I recall). Jean Simmons was the first superstar seen in Fiji, and as youngsters we were awestruck by the sight of this beautiful young woman in Suva. This experience was repeated a few years later when Joan Rice came (with Burt Lancaster) to shoot "His Majesty O'Keefe", that time in the Deuba (Pacific Harbour) area. Since then there have been a procession of films made in Fiji, but none has had the impact on the local community of those first two.
	"Inland Sea, Cuva, Fiji". 5B.H215. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher, possibly Stinsons.Almost certainly early 1950s. The area is actually called Cuvu, not Cuva, and is west of Sigatoka on the Coral Coast.
	"Where stream meets sea". #1046 Distributed by Stinsons Ltd, Suva, Fiji. Curteicolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction. Impossible to localise. Undated, but photographed by Roland Stinson in early 1950s (personal communication from photographer). Captions reads: Whilst travelling in Fiji, one often glimpses such tranquil scenes. Wherever possible villages are built close by streams which provide the inhabitants with necessary fresh water.
	"Penang Valley". #1059 Fijian Views Distributed by Stinsons Ltd, Suva, Fiji. Curteicolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction. Undated, but photographed by Roland Stinson in early 1950s (personal communication from photographer). The caption reads: "Fijian soil is very fertile, and when cultivated, provides the farmer with flourishing crops. Many thousands of acres now yield good harvests." The fields visible in the middle-distance are sugar-cane. This valley is in Ra, on Vitilevu's north coast near Tavua township. There was a large sugar-mill, the Penang Mill, in the vicinity, generally similar to that illustrated below.
	"Wainubuka River Scene". Card by South Seas Scenics, Santa Barbara CA. Distributed by Nadi & Suva Marketing Reps. Unused and undated, but the edges are "pinked' which suggests a 1950s date. The caption reads: "Kings Road winds along lush river valery on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, offering spectacular views." The mountains visible in the distance are those of the Colo Highlands.
	"A flaming tropical sunset". Card by The Continental Card, Mike Roberts #187. Distributed by Caines jannif Limited, Suva & Lautoka, Fiji. This card is used and dated 25 Sep 74. The mountains visible in the distance are those of the Colo Highlands.It is addressed to an address in Lancaster PA, USA, with a message that says in part "Fiji is beautiful, people very friendly and happy."
	"A glorious tropical sunset". Card by The Continental Card, Mike Roberts #156. Distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, Suva & Lautoka, Fiji. This card is unused and undated, but from its number it can be presumed to be near in date to the previous one, in the early 1970s.
	"Castaway Island Resort, Fiji". Caption reads "Just 15 miles from Nadi Airport, Castaway is your dream of a South Pacific Paradise." Card by Colourscans Pty Ltd, Richmond Vic. #229. Distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, Suva, Fiji. This card is unused and undated but probably 1970s.
	"The Fijian". Caption reads "The fine sandy beach at The Fijian" [resort near Singatoka, on the Coral Coast]. Colour View card #5 produced by Tappoo Ltd, Singatoka. This card is used and postmarked 19 Feb 81. It is addressed to someone in Vancouver, Canada with a typical "having a great time" message.

2. The Fijian People and their Villages, Activities and Traditions

	"Bau Temple, Fiji". 8A.H1183. Used colour-printed postcard, but stamps and dated postmark removed. At the latest taken in the early 1950s. No publisher identified on card, but in fact published by Stinsons, and photographed by J. Bolton Stinson (personal communication from the photographer's son, Roland Stinson). This is a photograph of a gathering of some sort on the village green (rara) on the chiefly island of Bau. The large structure is the Council House, formerly a temple, called Na Vata ni Tawake. For an early engraving and other images click HERE.
	"Chief's house". P18443. Ektachrome by Eric Were. Published and distributed by Caine's Studios, Suva, Fiji #1002. Probably early 1950s. Caption on the back of the card reads: "Built of native materials, without need of hammer or nail, the Fijian bure (house) is a handsome example of South Seas architecture." In fact the term bure, though widely misused by non-Fijians, should properly be restricted to temples and guesthouses. A normal dwelling like this should be referred to as vale (va-leh), the Fiji form of the common Polynesian term for house, elsewhere fale or fare, and in other parts of Fiji were (weh-reh). This is a photograph of what is today a very unusual building, a large chief's house on a double-stepped housemound (yavu). The mountainous background and the evidence of a number of thatched cottages in the background suggest that the location may be Navala, in the Vitilevu Highlands not far from the town of Ba. Today Navala is probably the last remaining "traditional" village in Fiji, with only a couple of government buildings in the village being constructed of introduced building materials.
	"A chief's bure, Fiji". A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley, California 94710. Distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, , Suva, Fiji. C14237 Unused and undated, but probably 1960s. Text on back reads: 'These 'bures' are constructed of local timber, bamboo and reed, and are usually thatched with reed or cane leaves." The term bure is widely (and incorrectly) applied to all indigenous constructions today. In actual fact, bure was applied only to temples (burekalou) and visitors' houses (burenisa). The correct term for other houses is vale, or in some places were. These large chief's houses are generally not residences, but maintained by the chief for community purposes. They are normally referred to simply as valelevu or "large house".
	"Typical village life in Fiji". Used colour-printed postcard. No publisher information, but labelled "Fiji Series. Serial No. 1990-017", postmarked 1990 The appearance of the houses suggests to me that this may have been taken along the Ra (northern) coast of the main island Vitilevu.
	"Bure construction, Fiji". Unused colour-printed postcard. Publisher Caines, Jannif Ltd, Suva & Lautoka, Fiji. Printed by Samuel Lee & Co. Pty Ltd., Stanthorpe, Qld. No date, but numbered 147. This, and the scalloped edge, suggests that it may date from no later than the 1960s. The use of the word "bure" reflects common usage in Fiji today, though it is not really correct. The word for house is vale, and bure should strictly speaking be reserved for temples (burekalou) or visitors' houses (burenisa). However, from the high housemound or yavu, and the elaborate finials with white cowries suspended from them, this house appears to be a chief's meeting-house or valelevu. The thatch being used appears to be sugarcane leaves.
	"Serua Island". 1061 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. Curteichcolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction. Unused, undated, probably 1960s. Subtext reads: 'Fijians usually build their villages close to the sea, from which they derive so much of their food. Serua Atoll, with its neat Fijian village,rises from the turquoise reef shoals, fully protected from the Blue Pacific." Serua is off the south coast of Vitilevu, between Pacific Harbour and the Coral Coast. When I first put this photo online about 2003 I wrote: "I have not seen it in recent years but doubt whether it still boasts such a fine display of thatch houses, the only village I know of that looks like this today is Navala, in the Ba hinterland of northwestern Vitilevu." At the end of 2008 I received a note from a volunteer worker on the island who wrote that the villagers were amazed to see this picture, having never seen a photo of the way the village used to look when the whole village consisted of thatched valevakaviti. Apparently there was a fire in the 1970s that burned down all the thatched houses, and all houses are now wood, corrugated iron, or concrete block.
	"Fijian Village". 1025 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Unused colour-printed postcard. Ekatachrome by Charles Stinson. Produced by Curteicolor. Unused and undated but almost certainly early 1950s. The caption reads "Most villages are built near a stream and beside the sea. The houses are thatched and very strongly built to withstand heavy tropical rain and storm, and are invariably cool inside."
	"Native Village, Nadroga, Fiji". 5B.H202. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher, possibly Stinsons.Almost certainly early 1950s. The scene is in one of the villages on what is now called 'The Coral Coast', the stretch of the southern coastline of Vitilevu between Serua and Cuvu.
	"Nasinu". 1094 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. H.S.Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused, undated, but probably 1950s. Caption reads: "A Fijian school situated on the heights overlooking Natewa Bay is considered one of the beauty sponts of Vanua Levu, which is the second largest island in the Fiji Group."
	"Takias". 1034 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused, undated, but probably 1950s. Caption reads: "Many small canoes still ply between outlying islands. A much larger version of this craft, capable of carrying as many as 100 people, brought the original migrants to Fiji". Almost all of the information above is not quite correct. For a start, these are not the river-going takia, but sea-going camakau. For a lengthier discussion see "Cyclopaedia" page. The second major error is that the great voyaging canoes were NOT merely a larger version of this dugout outrigger canoe, but were double-hulled, planked vessels. By carelessly passing on these urban myths then (and still) current in Fiji, the publishers were disseminating misinformation worldwide.
	"Fijian Children at Play". 1011 - Fijian Views Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Curteicolor ®.' Art creation from Color transparencies' Unused, undated, but probably mid-late 1950s. Subtext reads: 'Almost before they can walk, Fijian children take to the water and each and every day they are to be found splashing happily in sea or stream'.
	"Washing day, Fiji". A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley, California 94710. Distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, , Suva, Fiji. C14233 Unused and undated, but probably mid-late 1950s. Text on back reads: 'Fiji is blessed with numerous mountain rivers and streams. Helped by the whole family, washing day is a familiar sight. All that is required is water, a flat stone and a big stick."
	"Elizabeth". 1090 - Fijian Views Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Curteicolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused and undated, but 1950s-60s. Subtext reads: 'Dressed in her Sunday-best, Elizabeth finds pleasure in picking and displaying hibiscus flowers'. It is interesting to note the skill of the seamstress who used a Western child's-pattern cloth with its border in such a way as to imitate the "look" of figured masi barkcloth, and has fashioned this into the two-tier skirt arrangement so archetypal of Fijian women's dress.
	"Getting ready for the dance". 1029 - Fijian Views Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Curteicolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused and undated, but 1950s-60s. Subtext reads: 'A long wooden comb puts the finishing touches to her coiffure. Gowned in brightly coloured sulu with a necklet of hibiscus flowers she will join in the meke.
	"Yaqona Ceremony". [Yaqona vakaturaga] 1014 - Fijian Views Distributed by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Natural color reproduction - Curteicolor ® Art-Creation reg. U.S.Pat.Off. ' Unused and undated, but probably early-mid 1950s. Text on back reads: 'The yaqona (or kava) drink has been prepared with all its traditional ceremony and the cup-bearer is about to rise, turn and make the presentation. No official ceremony of welcome to an honoured visitor is complete without first offering the bowl of Yaqona.
	"Presentation of Yaqona - Fiji Islands". Used colour-printed postcard, message dated 4/4/1976. Publisher D.P., Larry Witt photographer. On reverse has the caption: "Colorful Fijian natives present yaqona. Yaqona (or kava) is the traditional south sea ritual of welcome and honour to visitors. The brew itself is made from the powdered root of a shrub of the pepper family - it is mixed with water and while numbing to the mouth is not intoxicating. Mosels: The Orchid Island Group.
	"Presentation of Yaqona". Unused colour-printed postcard, undated but early-mid 1950s. #1066 Distributed by Stinsons Ltd. Suva Fiji. Photographer Charles Stinson. Caption reads: "Yangona (or kava) is the traditional drink of the Fijian people. No offcial ceremony of welcome to an honoured visitor is complete, without first offering the bowl of Yangona." Caption does not divulge that this photograph was taken at Deuba Hotel, Pacific Harbour (on the site of the present "Pearl South Pacific." It was taken either during or following the making there of the Warner Bros. film "His Majesty O'Keefe", starring Burt Lancaseter. Two of the film props, an iron "cannibal pot" and a "tiki figure", can be seen in the background. The man standing with arms outstretched to present the coconut cup (bilo) of yaqona (pron. "yang-go-na") is called the "Tu Yaqona" or "lord of the kava".
	"Meke, Fiji" [meke is the generic term for dance] Unused card, no publisher but the number 414, and on verso "Made in USA". Undated, but probably early 1950s. It is interesting that the women were wearing Western print fabric, whereas in the climate of cultural revival today performers in any self-respecting dance group would attempt to get at least a skirt of masi barkcloth.
	"Fijian Meke" [strictly speaking, a meke is a sitting "dance," standing dances like this are called seasea] 1038 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Curteicolor ®.' Art creation from Color transparencies' Unused, undated, probably early-mid 1950s.

3. The last days of Colonial Fiji - pre-1970

	"Snow white and the seven picanninies". No. 1010. Fiji Views Distributed by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. Used, dated 1958. The caption under this very un-PC title reads: "Children the world over are fascinated when confronted with one of another race. These happy little Fijians gaze with delight at the dainty fair maid". The "dainty fair maid" in question was the photographer's daughter Jeanette. Sadly she is no longer living.
	"Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, Fiji".. 8A.H1179. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher, possibly Stinsons. Undated, but most likely late 1940s to early 1950s (same series as first two "scene" cards on this page, above). The Grand Pacific Hotel or GPH as it was universally known was a landmark of the British Colonial era. For more detail see "Towns" and "Fifties".
	"Government House, Suva, Fiji".. 1104. Distributed by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji. H.S.Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. Unued and undated, but from the 1950s. Caption reads "Situated on a hilltop in magnificent tropical gardens, and commanding a view of the city of Suva and the Harbour beyond, is the dignified Government House, Suva." This building was completed in 1928 on the same site (a very large tract of land called The [Queen's] Domain) as the original timber building that was struck by lightning and burned down in 1921 (see pictures on the "Towns" page on this website). A great chiefly bure served as a temporary residence until this concrete building was completed. (Suva Map Ref D)
	"The Triangle, Suva". Published by Stinsons, #1007 Used and dated 1952, but probably actually photographed in the 1940s. Photograph by Roland Stinson (personal communication from the photographer) Taken looking NE along Victoria Parade (map Ref L). Note the small pillbox with a policeman on point duty. There were two of these in Suva, this one, and another one just over the Nabukalou Creek bridge, near Burns Philp store (pictured in another card, below). In this photo, in "The Triangle" itself is the big ivi tree, under which the founding ceremony for Suva took place, and behind that is the building then occupied by Boots the Chemists, now Prouds Jewellers.
	"Policemen, Triangle, Suva, Fiji". No 21. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. Published by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji. Printed by J.Salmon Ltd., Sevenoaks [UK]. No date, but probably late 1950s or early 1960s, because the traffic policeman's pillbox (see previous photo) has been replaced with the garden bed road divider. "The Triangle" seen more clearly in the previous photograph is directly behind the garden bed. Note however that the tall coconut palms have been removed — probably a safety measure to prevent pedestrians being brained or vehicles damaged by falling coconuts. On the left hand side can be seen what was at that time the Bank of New South Wales, now Westpac, building, and behind the ivi tree, as in the previous photo, is the Boots building.
	"The heart of Suva, Fiji". No 1010. A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley 2, Calif. Distributed by Caine's Studios, Suva, Fiji. No date, but probably late 1940s/early 1950s. It is a hand-tinted real photo. Caption reads: "The Triangle garden is situated in the heart of Suva. It is on this spot that Public Land Sales took place in 1880." This picture was taken at right angles to the previous photo, looking SE across the base of "The Triangle", behind the ivi tree visible in that picture. It was almost certainly taken from the roof of the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac), the large cream-coloured building on the left of the previous picture. The building on the left of this picture was Boots the Chemist, while that on the corner diagonally across Renwick Road was A.J.Swann, also a pharmacy. To the right of it, in the same building, can be seen the "Kodak" sign above Caine's Studios, distributor of this card. Swann's and Caine's premises are now amalgamated as Caines-Jannif. The long white building behind these is part of the Suva Police Station complex. The road running directly away from the photographer is Pratt Street, on which the double towers of Roman Catholic Cathedral are visible left of centre in the distance.
	"Traffic constable, Suva, Fiji". Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. Published by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji. No.C6. Printed by J.Salmon Ltd., Sevenoaks [U.K.] Unused, undated, probably late 1940s.or early 1950s There were formerly two of these traffic shelters in Suva, one near the Triangle in Victoria Parade (pictured above), and this one at the intersection of what are now Thomson, Usher, Marks and Nina Sts near Burns Philp (SS) Co Ltd. (Map Ref K).
	"Fijian policeman" Ektachrome by Eric Were, Published and distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, Suva, Fiji. P18442. Subcaption reads: "The handsome appearance and fine physique of the Fijian policeman on traffic duty never fails to attract visitors." Used, sent 17/8/68 to Mr & Mrs H.P.L. Haan, Kralingsweg 187, Rotterdam, Holland. Note the enclosing of the traffic shelter compared to the earlier photo above. This officer featured in at least two postcards, the other a photo by Charles Stinson in which he is wearing gloves like th officer in the previous picture here.
	"Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji". 5B.H209. Unused colour-printed postcard. No publisher identified on card, but actually Stinsons. Undated, but probably taken in late 40s or early 1950s. Photographed by Roland Stinson (personal communication from photographer). Lithographed from hand-coloured photo. This photo is taken from near the end of the "Triangle", looking along Victoria Parade past the Regal Cinema.
	"Club Hotel". 1106 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. H.S.Ektachrome by Charles Stinson.. 'Curteicolor ® 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused and undated, but probably 1960s-70s. Subtext reads: 'This modern air-conditioned Hotel stands on the site of the old Colonial style Club Hotel, known to so many who visited Suva before 1950. The Club is a popular meeting-place for local residents, and it is here that the Rotary Club of Suva holds its weekly meetings.' The policeman is for effect only - there was never a traffic cop at this location, in fact he is standing not in the way of oncoming traffic, but at the entrance to the Old Town Hall or the Suva Sea Baths!
	"Royal Fiji Military Forces Band". D.3006 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Santa Singh. 'H.S. Ektachrome. Curteicolor 3-D Natural color.' Unused, undated, perhaps 1960s. On the back bears the caption: "Royal Fiji Military Forces Band. The band of the Fiji Military Forces parade down Thomson Street past the General Post Office, Suva." (Map Ref J)
	"Drum Major". 1071 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "Sgt. Epeli Rayawa, Drum Major of the Band of the Fiji Military Forces, is typical of the fine stamp of young Fijian who joins Her Majesty's Forces. His scarlet jacket is quite an attraction to colour photographers."
	"Fiji Police Band". 1146 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "Through the sunlit streets of Suva past Albert Park and the grey stone of Government Buildings, marches the Band of the Fiji Police Force - with them, their Director of Music, ex-British Army Bandmaster, Supt. J.H.Hempstead M.B.E. Impressinve in their bearing, magnificent in marching and versatile as musicians, the Band has won renown in Fiji and overseas."
	"Fiji Police Force Fanfare Trumpeters". 1105 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "The proud traditions of the Fiji Police Force are given colour and expression in this striking study of Police Trumpeters who figure in important ceremonial occasions in Fiji. These Trumpeters typify the proud bearing, dignity and smart appearance of the Force whose unique uniform is not seen anywhere else in the world."
	"Royal Salute". 1041 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "In smart and colourful dress uniform, men of the Fiji Military Forces fire a salute." The location is Queen Elizabeth Drive, next to the Suva Sea Wall near the entrance to Government House (Map Ref M).
	"Fijian Band". 1074 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "The Band of the Fiji Military Forces, under the baton of Sergeant Major Kini cava, has had a varied career; it has played to troops in teh Solomons and Malaya, and today, one of its many functions is to greet and farewell visiting cruise ships"
	"Suva's Busy Harbour". 1160 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Santa Singh. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "Cruise ships call regularly at Suva in the course of their Pacific runs and bring many thousands of visitors to the Capital". The photo was taken from Tamavua and looks across Walu Bay.
	"Suva Municipal Markets, Fiiji". Card by The Continental Card, Mike Roberts #C16700. Distributed by Caines Jannif Limited, Suva & Lautoka, Fiji.This card is unused and undated, but could be from the early 1980s. Note reads "The city of Suva has a spacious market where local produce and island curios are sold by the multiracial population. For a visitor to Suva a call at the market is a must." (Map ref O) The ship at Kings Wharf No.1 is not identified. Since the time described in the note, the Curio Market has moved to new premises south along the waterfront to Stinson Parade, to be more central to the city (see Suva map).
	"Native Market". Plastichrome ® by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass., USA. Published and Distributed by Caines Studios, Suva, Fiji. P18445. Ektachrome by Eric Were. Unused and undated, but 1950s-60s. Text on back reads: 'At the Suva Market all the colour and richness of the tropics may be seen as native vendors display their garden products.' The produce on display is mainly various citrus fruits (moli), but also visible are bananas (jaina), a bunch of taro (dalo), eggplant (baigani), and pineapple (vainaviu). The woman selecting a lemon appears from her dress to be an office worker.
	"Typical sugar mill, Fiji Islands". Published by WW Distributors, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. Photographer: Larry Witt. #15X-DT-3433-D. Unused, undated but in light of the fact that the chimney stack proclaims "FSC" (Fiji Sugar Company), it postdates the CSR (Colonial Sugar Company) ownerwhip of the mill, and therefore probably dates from the late 1960s or later, Caption on reverse reads "This colorful view of the Rarawai Mill near Ba shows the cane train and the cane truck delivery to the mill supporting the industry which is the backbone of the economy".
	"Lautoka sugar mill". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1047). Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused, undated but probably dates from the 1960s or later, Caption on reverse reads: "Of the four sugar mills in Fiji (and one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere), Lautoka Mill crushes between 400 and 600 thousand tons of cane a year".
	"The new Ba Hotel, Ba". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1176). Photographer: Santa Singh. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused and udated, but probably mid-1960s. This hotel, one of the Northern Hotels chain, is located not far from the Rarawai Mill in the previous entry. Caption on back reads: "Centrally situated in the sugar town of Ba, the Hotel with its fine pool is a haven of rest and meeting place for visitors and towns folk".
	"Raki Raki Hotel". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1185). Photographer: Santa Singh. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Unused and udated, This hotel, another of the Northern Hotels chain, is located at Rakiraki, near Tavua, on the norhwest coast of Vitilevu. Caption on back reads: "Situated on the Kings Road 95 miles from Suva, this Hotel with its freshwater swimming, offers complete relaxation in a tropical setting and is a popular stopover for many travellers". I bought this postcard in 1975 when my family and I met that description, enroute from Nadi to Suva via the Kings Road. At that stage it was a fine hotel, but when I stayed there again in 1987 it had a different manager and had declined badly in all respects. I have no idea what it is like now, but if anyone does know, please let me know.
	"Mocambo Nandi Airport Fiji". Stinsons (#1030). Photographer unnamed, but probably Roland Stinson. Unused and udated, but probably before 1950. This hotel, along with the Korolevu Beach Hotel, was one of the first hotels to offer international-standard accommodation in Fiji in the post-war era when mass tourism was brought to Fiji on the new large passenger aircraft. The Mocambo is still functioning, but the KBH has long since ceased operating. It is located a few miles from Nadi International Airport.
	"Hotel Mocambo". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1087). H.S.Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Not used postally, but dated in a note on the back "Sat. Jan.22, 1966." The original photo was, however, very probably taken earlier than that, very possibly up to a decade earlier. Caption reads "On a hilltop overlooking Nadi International Airport, visitors relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the air-conditioned Mocambo Hotel, famous for its Fijian decor." See previous entry for a further description of the background of this hotel.
	"Lounge, Mocambo, Nadi Airport, Fiji". Published by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva. Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. Dated 1947. See entry above for the background of this hotel.
	"Boating — Korolevu". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1024). H.S.Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Not used postally, but dating from the early 1960s. Caption reads "A fascinating pastime at Korolevu Beach Hotel is to take a boat and venture out over the coral reef, where one may either gaze into a wonderland of marine life or indulge in the gentle art of fishing." See entry above on the Mocambo for a further description of the background of this hotel. It closed forever in the mid-1970s.
	"Bures at Korolevu". Distributed by Stinsons, Ltd., Suva, Fiji (#1048). Ektachrome by Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction.' Posted in June 1963. Addressed to Mrs J. Readman, Loggerhead Yd., Baxtergate, Whitby, Yorkshire, England, and message to "Dear Aunt Jenny" signed "Mary Hardy and family"/ Caption reads "At first sight travellers might think they were entering a model Fijian Village when they go into the grounds of Korolevu Beach Hotel. Guests have complete privacy in these charming bures, each equipped with telephone, electricity and private bathroom." Constructed in 1948, these small self-contained units were very possibly the first of their type in the world but set the standard for resort developments everywhere, imitating indigenous architecture. The proprietor of the KB Hotel, Bill Clark (a lifelong family friend), told me that it was economics that prompted their choice, since they could have local villagers build them for a fraction of the cost of building western-style buildings. He acknowledged that the name is bure is incorrect, since that actually refers to a temple or similar official building, and that they should really have been called valevakaviti — "Fijian-style houses". But he rightly reasoned that tourists could never get their tongues around that name, so bure they became ("bures" is also wrong, since there is no 's' for the plural in Fijian). The name stuck, and I have even seen little timber cabins in Australian resorts called "boorays"!
	"Road scene, Lautoka, Fiji". Published by Stinsons, Suva, Fiji (#27). Photographer: Charles Stinson. Printed in England by J.Salmon Ltd., Sevenoaks. This early example of Stinsons cards is typical of the printing process of the time, which gave the photographs an almost painterly look compared with the later examples from the same publisher. Undated and unposted, but message on back reads in part "all best wishes for 1957". This was a well-known Lautoka road near the sugarmill, with its avenue of Flame (a.k.a. Flamboyant) trees. The line of houses on the left belonged to the CSR (Colonial Sugar Refining) Company and were used for housing personnel. The dress of the four Fijian women is typical of the period and the yoked pair of zebu-cross working bullocks also typical of those used for most of the heavy work in and around the canefields at that time.
	"Sugar Train". 1129 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1950s-60s. Note reads "Although the 'Steam Loco' is slowly being replaced by more efficient diesel engines, there are still a few to be seen puffing through the countryside." A major reason for their replacement was not their inefficiency, but that, without spark arrestors, the steam trains frequently set fire to canefields as they passed through them. This meant that the sugar content was affected, and unless crushed and processed very quickly, the cane would be useless. The three young Fijian women in the photo are wearing the characteristic jamba i sulu (blouse and sarong) of the day. Less common it towns, it is still a preferred form of dress in many villages.
	"A.K. 'Maroro'". 1096 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1960s. Note reads 'The 100 ton "MARORO" which was originally the Royal Yacht "HIFOFUA" of the Queen of Tonga, now renders a valuable service as a Tourist Charter Vessel in the Fiji Islands. Her Master, Captain Stan Brown, verteran sailor of the Pacific Islands, is well known to many hundreds of visitors who have travelled with him to the our-of-the-way islands of the South Pacific.' Why this vessel was sold by the Tongan Royal family (presumably following the demise of Queen Salote in 1965), rather than being kept as the Royal Yacht by her successor, her son King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, I do not know. I understand that the "Sprucebank" served as Royal Yacht at some stage, perhaps following the sale of the "Hifofua", but it is difficult to find inforamtion. At some stage King Tupou acquired his own yacht, named "Titilupe" after Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tuita, the second daughter of Tupou IV's only daughter Princess Pilolevu. Presumably that yacht is still in use by his son and successor, King Siaosi Tupou V, as it is the latest entry I can find on the web. If anyone can fill in any more information on this, I would be delighted to hear from them.
	"Na Savusavu'". 1093 - Distributed by Stinsons Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Photographer: Charles Stinson. 'Curteicolor 3-D Natural color reproduction. (Reg. U.S. Pat.Off.)' Unused, undated, 1960s. Note reads "At the head of one of Fiji's largest and most beautiful Harbours is the small Township of Na Savusavu, situated in the hert of the copra growing area. Small trading vessels make frequent calls to pick up the prepared copra for shipment to the mills in Suva." The township would today be hard to recognise from this photograph. It has grown considerably and now services a growing European settlement on its outskirts.