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Contributed by American Museum of Natural History.
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Transcription
After visit from Doctor, ashore, where Mr. Beck (who had come down on the
Tofua with Mrs. Beck) waited to greet us. Up town to find Mr. Simmonds,
government entomologist. Unable to locate him, but very nicely entertained
by Mr. J. Probert, health inspector, who carried me all around town in his
sidecar - Harley-Davidson, looking for Simmonds and finally took me for a
spin in the country, out toward Rewa. The roads are very good. The lowland
is for the most part grassland with scattered clumps of trees. We rode down
past the Carnegie Library, Government Buildings, Fiji Museum, botanic gardens,
and race course, around the coast line for a few miles and then back over the
hills to Suva.
Visited the Carnegie Library, where I obtained a borrowing permit by
depositing 10 shillings. Borrowed Darwin's "Voyage Around the World" and
Sir John Lubbock's "Origin and Metamorphosis of Insects" to read over Sunday.
Also found a copy of Seemand's "Flora Vitiensis" in Reference Department. A
fair library.
Returned to "France" for lunch. Watched five good games of Rugby in
afternoon. They play on a large well kept grass field, owned by the city and
rented to the clubs. Two of the games were between white teams with fast, fair
teamwork. The other three were by native Fijin teams, equally fast, but with-
out the teamwork. Plenty of noise from the Fijian sidelines.
To dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Beck at the Pier Hotel, where they are
staying. To the library in the evening. Back to "France."
Sunday, June 8, 1924.
Quiet day. The "France" tied up to the end of the government pier
after the departure of the government yacht "Pioneer." Spent the day reading
and talking with some of the numerous visitors, including Mr. Hunt, postage
stamp enthusiast, who offered advice and assistance. Evening to Anglican
Church - broadminded address by the Bishop.