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\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
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\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 069 of 2002S}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283\charrsid10363283 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Appellant
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283\charrsid10363283 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 27th September 2002
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\par 
\par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Ms S. Waqainabete for Appellant
\par Respondent in Person}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 On 27}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
 November 2001, the Respondent was charged with the following offence:
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\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  Contrary to section 67(1)(b) of the Fair Trading Decree No. 25 of 1992.
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\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  day of July and the 24}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
 day of August 1998, SURENDRA PRASAD MOTORS, a business registered under the Registration of Business Names Act Cap. 249 whose registered office is at Lot 2 Hanuman Street, Bhindi Subdivision, Vatuwaqa, Suva, had accepted part}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 -}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
payment of $480.00 (Four Hundred and Eighty Dollars) for an oral agreement to carry out general repair works on the body of the car whose registration number is BI 052.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 For which at the time of the acceptance there was a reasonable awareness that the business would not be able to supply the car whose registration number is BI052 within the given time.
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\par The matter was called before a Magistrate on 13}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  December 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Neither prosecution, nor the accused appeared.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The case was adjourned to 8}
{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  February 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 On that day, the Respondent (who was not represented by counsel), pleaded not guilty to the charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The case was adjourned to 4}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
 March 2002 for mention, and then to 14}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  May 2002 for another mention.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 On 14}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  May, the prosecutor failed to appear.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
The case was adjourned again to the 10}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  of June 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 On 10}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
 June 2002, the case was again adjourned for mention to 24}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  June 2002.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 No reasons were given for the granting of these numerous mention dates.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 On the 24}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
 of June 2002, the prosecutor again did not appear.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The Respondent said he had not been served with any of the witness statements (}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 65 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 disclosures}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 ) and the court noted as follows:
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\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 I note the complainant}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 s unavailability.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
This is not the first time that they have not appeared.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Accused has appeared throughout from 8/2/02.}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 I exercise my discretion under section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code and dismiss the charge.}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Accused discharged.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f 
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\par The Director of Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs has filed an appeal against this order.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
The appeal petition mistakenly refers to the order as one for acquittal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
In fact, the Respondent was not acquitted, he was purportedly discharged.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 However, counsel for the Appellant, said at the 
hearing of this appeal that the Suva Magistrate}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 s Court had refused to accept a fresh charge for filing after the }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 65 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols"
 \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 discharge}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 , because the order was treated as an order for acquittal.
\par 
\par The grounds of appeal are as follows:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s16 \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard\plain \s16\ql \fi-709\li1418\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\ls1\outlinelevel0\rin0\lin1418\itap0\pararsid10363283 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 the learned Resident Magistrate erred in law when he failed to exercise his discretion judicially to allow an adjournment;
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s16 \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}}\pard\plain \s16\ql \fi-709\li1418\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\ls1\outlinelevel0\rin0\lin1418\itap0\pararsid10363283 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 the learned Magistrate erred in law applying section 308 CPC in the manner that he did.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par The purported dismissal of charge was made under section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
It was made, not on a date set for hearing, but on a mention date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
The Respondent in his written submissions, said that the dismissal of the charge did not lead to acquittal, and was justified because the offence was allegedly committed in 1998.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 He further said that the appeal was trivial, misconceived and should be dismissed.
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Adjournment}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par 
\par It is not apparent from the record, why the case was continuously being adjourned from December 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
In the absence of any application made by either party for an adjournment, it is safe to assume that mention dates were being fixed because the court itself was not ready to set a hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Further, on three occasions, the case was being handled by other magistrates.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 It is true that the prosecutor failed to appear on two occasions, and that the accused was present on all occasions.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 However, if the case was being continuously adjourned at the court}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols"
 \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 s convenience, the decision to dismiss the charge because the prosecutor did not appear, does not appear to be in the interests of justice.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
The best course of action would have been either to set a hearing date convenient to the accused (the prosecutor having forfeited her right to be consulted) or to set another mention date to agree on a hearing date.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Although, there was no one present to request an adjournment, the learned Magistrate should have considered that as an option anyway.
\par 
\par As the Court of Appeal said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Rajesh Chand & Shailesh Kumar }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 -}{
\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 v}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 -}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  the State}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  Crim. App. No. AAU0056 of 1999S:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 65 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Where the refusal of an adjournment would seriously prejudice a party, the application should be granted.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 If not granted, an appellate court will intervene if the discretion has not been exercised judicially or where its exercise was based on a wrong principle or resulted in an injustice.}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par The learned Magistrate failed to consider that the case had been adjourned on numerous occasions without a hearing date being set, that those adjournments had not been at the request of the prosecution and that the 24}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  of June 2002, was not set for the hearing of the trial, but was only a mention date.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The decision not to adjourn to another date was therefore not made judicially.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 This ground of appeal succeeds.
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The dismissal of the charge}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par 
\par Section 203(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides as follows:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 65 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
If at the time or place to which the hearing or further hearing is adjourned, the accused person does not appear before the court which has made the order of adjournment, such court may unless the accused person is charged with felo
ny, proceed with the hearing or further hearing as if the accused was present, and if the complainant does not appear the court may dismiss the charge with or without costs as the court shall think fit.}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 As I said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The Ministry of Labour & Industrial Relations }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 -}{
\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 v}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 -}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  Merchant Bank of Fiji Ltd.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  Crim. App. No. HAA}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 0}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
011 of 2002, the discretion to dismiss the charge under section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code, must be exercised judicially.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
In this case the decision was made on a mention date, without making an enquiry about the readiness of the accused for trial or about the possibility of simply setting a hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 The dismissal of the charge was followed by a refusal to accept a fresh charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 There was therefore real prejudice to the prosecution.
\par 
\par This ground of appeal succeeds on the ground that the learned Magistrate failed to exercise her discretion under section 203 of the Code, judicially.
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Result}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
\par 
\par The grounds of appeal against the dismissal of the charge are successful.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 I order that the case be remitted to the Magistrate}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 
s Court for a hearing date to be set on the basis of the original charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 JUDGE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10363283 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 At Suva
\par 2}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5522868\charrsid10363283  October 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10363283 
\par }}