Local News in Brief
User-pay system
THE Ministry of Health at the moment has user-pay system in place only for paying wards and minor checks such as dental. This was revealed by the ministry's spokesman Iliesa Tora upon queries following the suggestion to implement a user-pay system for toilets. "The Ministry of Health only charges for paying wards and minor things like dental checks at the moment. There is no link to user pay for toilet facilities at the moment," Mr Tora said.
Son in court
THE son of a 62-year-old sex fiend convicted of multiple charges of rape, incest and indecent assault, appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday. The 21-year-old is charged with perverting the course of justice. He allegedly stopped the four victims from attending court in September this year. He appeared before Magistrate Eparama Rokoika. The accused was represented by Legal Aid lawyer Elenoa Raitamata. He has not taken a plea to the charge and is on bail. The case has been adjourned to November 11.
Flights delayed
BAD weather in some parts of the Central Division yesterday delayed Pacific Sun flights to the north yesterday. Passengers at Labasa. Savusavu and Taveuni waited at least three hours for their planes to arrive from Nausori. Pacific Sun general manager Manoa Kamikamica said the bad weather forced them to cancel their morning flights as visibility was also poor. "A decision was taken to cancel services to ensure the services later in the day would run on time. "Alternative arrangements have been made with affected passengers which included rebooking on later days," Mr Kamikamica said.
Cool climate
THE recent weather conditions have been little cooler than normal, says the acting director of Fiji Meteorological Department, Simon McGree. He said usually the warm and wet season started at the beginning of November but it was not the case now. "The cold season is bit unusual. We have not been as warm as it used to be," he said. He said according to the weather bulletin, the conditions being experienced now were due to a low pressure passing over the country. "A trough of low pressure with associated cloud and showers lies slow moving over the northern and eastern parts of Fiji and will move east tonight," he said.
