Pacific Islands Monthly - 23 March 1937

Effort To Wipe Out "Coconut Booze" in Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Mar. 1.

STRINGENT laws carrying heavy pen alties have been enacted by the Gov ernment of French Oceania against the manufacture, sale, possession, and even the drinking of Arrack. Arrack —as is well-known is the product resulting from the distillation of fermented sap of the coconut tree, obtained by tapping the stalk of the blossom before the nut is formed.

As a matter of fact, there has been surprisingly little Arrack made in these islands, except in the Marquesas. The laws are very rigid against the sale or supplying cf spirits to natives on islands other than Tahiti and Moorea.

Aware that tapping the coconut blos som stalk injures the tree, the thrifty Tuamotu native provides himself with good cheer by other and more crafty methods. There have been many five gallon kerosene tins properly labelled and apparently in the condition in which they left the refinery—that have miracu lously metamorphosed their contents, in transit to the Tuamotu Islands, into high proof rum. Then some wily merchant discovered that tinned Hawaiian pine apple, when boiled and the mixture fer mented, could be made into a beverage of potent authority. On the high islands, orange beer and orange rum are the stan dard “moonshine” beverages.

It is a melancholy but well-known fact that alcoholic liquors have played a major role in the decimation of the Polynesians.

Round-World Flight

Amelia Earhart Crashes On Round-World Flight

A FTER months of careful preparation, Amelia Earhart, famous American airwoman, left San Francisco on March 17 in a Lockheed-Electra ’plane to fly around the world (27,000 miles), via Hawaii, Howland Is., Lae (New Guinea), East Indies, India, Central Africa, South America, and Central America.

With three companions, Messrs. Paul Mantz, Fred Noonan, and Harry Man ning, she made a record crossing to Hawaii.

While trying to take off from Honolulu on March 21 for Howland Island, the machine crashed and was so badly dam aged that the round-the-world flight had to be abandoned. The three occupants —Amelia Earhart (otherwise Mrs George Putnam, wife of the well-known Ameri can publisher) and Messrs. Noonan and Manning (navigators) escaped injury.

They are returning to U.S.A. by steamer.

Mrs. Earhart Putnam expressed deter mination to attempt the round-the-world flight again later.

Three leading residents of Fiji, who arrived in Sydney on March 13 en route to London and the Coronation. Left to right: Ratu Joseva Sukuna, B.A. (Oxon.), Mcdaille Militaire, barrister-at-law of Middle Temple, M.L.C. (Fiji), and Honorary A.D.C. to the Governor of Fiji; Major Clive B. Joske, M.C., Commandant of the Fiji Military Forces, A.D.C. to the Governor; Ratu Edward Cakobau, descendant of the Royal Houses of Fiji and Tonga, second lieutenant in the Fiji Defence Forces, and captain of the Fiji cricket team.

N.G. Council

Australia's Interest In Fate of Territory

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Mar. 3.

TO-DAY’S meeting of the Legislative Council lasted 5g hours.

Twenty-three Bills, being mostly amendments of existing ordinances, were passed. The Administrator, in his open ing address, referred to the Council’s in augural meeting in May, 1933, and drew a flattering comparison between the con dition of the Territory then and now.

He emphasised that revenue had in creased by 30 per cent.

To Australia Or Germany?

Mr. W. E. Grose, in a notable speech, insisted that something should be done to awaken Australian public opinion to the danger of unchecked propaganda in favour of the return of New Guinea to Germany. If New Guinea were returned, it undoubtedly would be used by Ger many mainly as a military and naval base. It was extremely important for strategic reasons that Australia should retain control of New Guinea. He pointed out that there had been much more rapid development of New Guinea under Aus tralian Administration than under the Germans.

Asiatic Immigration

Mr. McLennan ably addressed the Council on the subject of Asiatic immi gration. He criticised the wisdom of applying the White Australia Policy to New Guinea, where conditions were en tirely different from those in Australia.

Undisciplined Natives

There was no discussion of the subject of “undisciplined natives.” Mr. J. C.

Mullaly asked 13 general questions, which were tersely answered by the Ad ministrator, thus putting an end to the debate.

Pioneer Planter of Papua

Death of Charlie Talbot

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, Feb. 27.

THE death of Mr. Charles Talbot, of * Puni Puni, North East coast of Papua, occurred at his home on January 26, after several weeks’ ill health.

The late Charlie Talbot, who was 68 years of age, arrived in the Territory in 1910, from the Northern Territory of Australia. Occupying himself first in the early developments of the British New Guinea Development Co., he later engaged in the production of sisal hemp and copra, which were the chief indus tries of the time.

His positions included, at various times, the management of Fairfax Harbour Plantations Ltd., North Fairfax Co. Ltd., Katea Hemp Co., and Veimauri River Plantations.

He was actively engaged in these con cerns until 1927, when he retired to es tablish an industry of his own with his brother Richard at Puni Puni, one of the most attractive properties in Papua.

Charlie Talbot’s long years of experi ence in planting in the country, and his successful handling of native labour, earned him the respect of all with whom he came into contact. Immune to hard ships from his early days in Kalgoorlie and Derby in 1890, there were few prob lems that Charlie Talbot did not tackle in the new and untried country of his adoption. He made lasting friendships with brown and white alike.

So departs another of the fine pioneers of Papua, of whom the country is proud.

It remains to be seen if the following generation can match their bold enter prise and courage.

Samoan “Policy”

N.Z. Minister Resents Being Nagged At In Geneva

From Our Own Correspondent.

Auckland, Mar. 10

THE N.Z. Minister, Mr. W. A. Nash. when before the League of Nations Council in Geneva in January, expressed resentment at the manner in which he had been cross-examined about Samoa by the Mandates Commission.

Mr. Nash said the new N.Z. Govern ment sent a Cabinet Minister and a private member to Samoa to find the best way of rectifying native grievances. The Government then formulated a policy, which it submitted to the Mandates Com mission. But, instead of accepting that as an indication of N.Z.’s intentions, the Commission proceeded to cross-examine the N.Z. representative as if it were dis satisfied with what had been done, and proposed.

A member of the Commission said there had been no cross-examination only a full and friendly discussion. Some of the members of the Commission were ready to express surprise, not on any point of policy, but at the manner in which the new policy and the reasons for the change had been announced to the natives. It was felt in some quarters that possibly the exhilaration of victory in New Zealand had led to misunder standing.

EDITORIAL NOTE, The Minister’s quaint assumption that the “Goodwill Mission’s” visit to Samoa, and the N.Z. Government’s Samoan pol icy, could not deserve anything but praise, is typical of the politician. It must be very irri tating to such a man to find that the Mandates Commission, will give consideration to information received from other quarters. Everyone knows what the “Goodwill Mission” achieved • no use flogging that poor horse again. But it is inter esting to learn that the N.Z. Government has a Samoan policy. Has anyone seen it? What is it object? Samoa for the Samoans, we presume.

Woman Missionary Killed

By Dog

From a Special Correspondent

Samarai, Mar. 10.

BADLY mauled by a dog, Miss Nellie Hullett, a South Australian member of the Anglican Mission at Dogifra, East ern Papua, since 1910, had to face a 100-miles sea trip in a small launch to reach medical aid. She died shortly after being admitted to Samara! Hospital.

An old favourite pet, the dog went into Miss Hullett’s room early in the morning and put his forelegs on the bed. Miss Hullett pushed him off, and he seized her forearm. She caught his ears with her free hand, and called for help.

A mission teacher rushed to her aid, but she refused to let the dog go lest someone else should be hurt. Snarling, the animal broke free and caught her other arm. Both arms were badly torn from wrist to shoulder.

Copra Store Destroyed In

Suva Fire

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Mar. 18.

THE concrete copra store of Messrs.

Morris Hedstrom Ltd., in Suva, was destroyed by fire on March 13. About 300 tons of copra were lost. The adjoining oilworks, operated by the Union Soap Company, was saved. The southern wall of this building will probably need re constructing.

This memorial, at Mahina, Tahiti, marks the graves of the first L.M.S. missionaries to die in Tahiti—Thomas Lewis, 1799, and John Jefferson, 1807. An account of the dedication ceremony will appear in next issue.

Large Scale Rubber

Planting In Papua

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Mar. 2.

117ITH the object of planting rubber ** on an extensive scale in the Kanosia District, Mariboi (Papua) Rubber Es tates was tncorporated under the Papua Companies Ordinance on February 15, with a nominal capital of £50,000, in shares of £1 each. Steamships Trading Co. are interested in the enterprise.

The company, it is understood, will take over a considerable area of land from Tropical Products Pty. Ltd., incor porated under the Papuan Companies Ordinance in January. The latter rec ently acquired 9,000 acres at Kanosia for planting rubber and other tropical products.

Kanosia is a well-known and tested rubber district in Papua, within easy reach of the seaboard.

Marsina's End

In Gale Off Queensland Coast

'THE old Islands steamer Marsina, 1948 * tons, once a familiar sight in all ports from Papua westwards to New Hebrides, came to a spectacular end on March 16.

Some years ago, she was sold to the Patrick Line, and became the coastal freighter Craigend. Quite recently, she was brought by a Mr S. Yih, of Shanghai, renamed the Haiping , given an overhaul, and was despatched to China under a master and crew who came south from Shanghai, The Haiping was sent to Newcastle for a cargo of coal, which she was to dis charge at Rabaul on her way north.

She left Newcastle on March 10, and met cyclonic weather off the Queensland coast on March 15. She received a bad battering, sprang a leak and slowly filled.

The captain, two officers, and 26 men were taken off by the freighter Mildura on the 16th.

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Measles Kill 1000

p. 9

Recent Epidemic in G. & E. Colony

THE Resident Commissioner in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Mr. J. C.

Barley, was in Sydney between March 16 and 20, after a hectic few weeks in the Central Pacific.

He dashed across from Ocean Is. to Christmas Is. at the end of January in his small boat; connected there with H.M.S. Leith (when she was landing a radio party to hold the island for Britain against U.S.A.); and then, before going to Suva, they visited a number of the isolated Phoenix Islands. At one island,

SALAMAUA v. LAE —Article on p. 32.

This article was supplied by a bpecial Correspondent at Port Moresby.

a surf-beat upset, and Mr. Barley was within an ace of being drowned.

Mr. Barley has had a strenuous year.

The Ellice Islanders, early in 1936, caught measles from Fiji, and their is lands were promptly quarantined. But the natives somehow broke through, and carried the infection on to the Gilbert Group, through which it rushed like wild fire.

The Administration officials worked for many months to get rid of the dis ease. It is gone now; but it is estimated that 1000 Gilbert and Ellice Islanders died in 1936 from measles.

Citizens

p. 9

Power To Arrest N.G.

Interesting Point of Law

IT was stated, erroneously, in our last ’ issue, that G. M. C. Ffrost, a New Guinea overseer, who had been arrested in Sydney, had been sent to New Guinea by the Macdhui on February 4, to stand trial for the alleged unlawful killing of a native.

What actually happened was that, be fore Ffrost sailed, a habeas corpus ap plication was made to the State Supreme Court, in Sydney. Ffrost was kept in Sydney to await the result of the applica tion, which the Full Court heard on February 22. Very complicated questions of law, especially affecting the constitu tional relationship between the States, the Commonwealth and New Guinea, were raised. The point was: Had the State police the authority to arrest a man and hand him over to the jurisdic tion of New Guinea?

The Full Court reserved its decision.

At this date (March 22) Ffrost still is in Sydney, awaiting a decision. He is a young man of good family, and was em ployed by Burns, Philp on Meto planta tion. It is claimed, on his behalf, that a boss-boy already has been convicted and sentenced for manslaughter, in con nection with the death of the native.

Quick Moves In Trans-Pacific

pp. 9-10

Air-Mail Argument

Experimental Flight by P.A. Airways Follows Agreement with N.Z.

A MONTH ago, the prospect of the establishment of a Central Pacific air-mail service, Honolulu to Auckland, by Pan-American Airways, seemed remote There was a complete hold-up by the New Zealand Government. The latter had insisted that the projected British Trans- Pacific service should be accorded the same facilities in Hawaii as Pan-American Airways were to receive in New Zeaj an( j Important international considerations became involved. The Americans apparently would not give the undertaking, New Zealand therefore would not grant facilities in Auckland.

Engineers from the Pan-American Airways appeared quietly and unexpectedly in Noumea. A glance at the map shows that it would be very easy for Pan- American Airways to run to Australia yia Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia, instead of by Samoa and Auckland.

Then something happened goodness knows what! The people’s business is conducted nowadays by their representatives in scrupulous secrecy. One gets at the course of events by deduction and assumption.

The Indications are that Britain is not ready to establish a trans-Pacific aerial service, from New Zealand to Canada.

She is anxious to extend the Imperial Airways service, now running success-

fully from England to Australia, through to New Zealand; but beyond that point, it should be possible to leave trans- Pacific aerial requirements to the Amen cans, for the present. Britain’s service picks up the route, again, from Eastern Canada, across the North Atlantic, to England.

'THIS, probably, is what happened, 1 Britain said: Leave us alone to run our service eastwards—through Southern Europe, Egypt and Southern Asia to Australia and New Zealand, and we will leave the New Zealand—North America link to be supplied by Pan-American Air ways, for the present, An agreement, apparently, was very

quickly reached. It was anounced on March 13: 1. The New Zealand Government has extended until the end of 1937 the period in which Pan-American Airways must commence the Honolulu-Auckland ser vice, if it is to enjoy concessions in New Zealand, 2. The first survey flight over the route Honolulu to Auckland, via King man Reef and Pago Pago (American Samoa), by Pan-American Airways, would commence almost immediately.

One of the Clipper flying-boats, with a crew of six, would make the trip. Ihe company’s supply-ship Northwind had been ordered from Honolulu to Kingman Reef (which lies 33 miles N.W. of Palm

This map from Sydney “Telegraph”, shows the existing and proposed air-lines, referred to in the accompanying article. The proposed new line, from Sydney to New Guinea (which will be only one hop from Guam) is not shown on this map.

yra, is 9J miles by 5 miles, and is simply a half-submerged coral reef enclosing an area of sheltered water). 3. The air-mail service between Aus tralia and New Zealand, representing the extension to New Zealand of the Imperial Airways service, will be controlled by a commission or board, on which the Gov ernments of Britain, Australia, and New Zealand will be represented.

On March 17, the original China Clipper, commanded by Captain Edwin Musick, took off from San Francisco on the first stage of the survey flight to New Zealand. The giant Sikorsky flying boat is due in Auckland on March 25.

TTHESE announcements seemed to make * the position quite clear. But there was a protest from Canberra, which said that “a trans-Pacific air service is one of contemplated major extensions of the Empire air routes”; that Australian traffic would be conserved for this ser vice; and that it knew nothing of any new agreement between New Zealand and Pan-American Airways. Which suggested that Canberra was either well behind the times, as usual; «r that the N.Z. Govern ment had taken action of a very impor tant character entirely on its own ac count.

When the curious history of these early preparations for a trans-Pacific service, north to south comes to be writ ten, a tribute will be paid to the work of Harold Gatty, champion airman and Australasian representative of Pan-Amer ican Airways. He has spent most of the past two years in New Zealand negoti ating very patiently and skilfully for the removal of scores of difficulties created by Governments and bureaucra cies. There are many practical difficul ties in the track of the proposed new service the provision of moorings, spares, workshops and accommodation; the need for regular weather data; the problem of radio stations, etc. — but Mr.

Gatty probably will say that they are as nothing in comparison with the obstacles created by Governments.

'THE rapid development of the Pan- American North Pacific service (’Frisco Hawaii —Guam —Manila —China) has given a new importance to the proposed Sydney—New Guinea service (see article on page 74).

The Dutch East Indies Airline have just completed an arrangement to run regular planes between Sourabaya and Manila, where they will connect with the Pan-American service. From Sourabaya, passengers and mails can connect with the Anglo-Australian service.

But the Sydney—New Guinea service may provide Australia with a quicker route. A plane, flying north from New Guinea, could easily reach Guam in one hop, and connect there with the Pan- American service. In other words, a modern plane could fly southwards from Guam to Sydney, via New Guinea, in two days.

Mr. R. A. Derrick, of the Methodist Mission’s Technical Institution at Davui levu, Fiji, left Sydney in February.

Japan's Invasion Of Pacific Shell Industry

p. 10

A N increasing amount of alarmed atten tion is being given in Australia to the penetration and capture of the Aus tralian pearling industry by the Japanese.

The matter probably will attain inter national importance presently. By that time, the industry will be irrevocably Japanese. It is two-thirds Japanese now.

The development is in two phases. In the first phase, the Japanese invaded the northern Australian pearl-shelling indus try (which has its centres in the north west towns—Derby, Broome, Wyndham, Darwin, etc.) and, by their skill and in dustry, and their temperamental suitable ness as divers, they pushed out most of the Malays, Koepangers and Filipinos, and virtually staffed the industry. Then they proceeded to supplant the Europeans and to own and direct the industry. That is the position to-day. The whole story is told, in detail, in lon Idriess’s new book, Forty Fathoms Deep.

The second phase is just as serious.

Swarms of sampans, staffed by adven turous Japanese and powered with modern engines, have come southwards from Formosa and from the Japanese mandated islands; and working to what seems a careful plan, they have invaded the territorial waters of all the south-west Pacific Islands, and of Australia, and they have literally scraped every shell bearing reef in that part of the world.

They have either taken possession of the trochus industry: or else, by carrying off the immature shell, they have destroyed it.

We used to think that these sampans were merely piratical and irresponsible.

But there are indications that they are working to a concerted plan. It is cer tain that there are well-found “mother ships” operating in connection with the fleets. We know, for instance, that one handsome vessel, the Zuiho Maru, is

actually a Japanese Government survey vessel, and that she has made, and is making, a very thorough survey of the ocean-bed in Northern Australian waters, beyond the three miles limit.

Five years ago, Australia supplied 85 per cent, of the world’s pearl-shell require ments. To-day, so thoroughly have the Japanese penetrated the Pacific’s tropical reefs, and so well have they organised the industry, Japan controls the pearl shell trade of the world.

Dutch Arrest Nine Japanese

p. 10

Boats

The coastal guards of the Dutch East ■*' Indies arrested nine Japanese pearl ing boats in mid-February, in the Arafura Sea, on the ground that they were illegally in territorial waters, and took them to Port Dobo, in the Aroe Islands (westwards of Dutch New Guinea).

It was pointed out that there are now over 100 Japanese sampans in the Ara fura Sea, where they poach surreptitiously and are generally a nuisance to the Dutch.

The boat-owners appealed at once to the Governor of Wakayama, in which prefec ture their boats are registered; and the latter passed on the appeal to the Foreign Office. The Japanese claimed that the boats entered territorial waters owing to some emergency.

There was a good deal of argument between the Dutch and Japanese author ities, but eventually the Japanese boats were released.

Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd. are

issuing 500,000 additional ordinary £1

shares, at par—their present lucky share

holders to have the first chance to sub scribe. The current market value of B.P, ordinaries is £3/19/-.

Store of mother-of-pearl shell, at Dobo, in Aroe Islands, where shelling is an important Dutch industry. The big man in this picture is Mr. Jardinc, an Australian, who was, known for years as the chief shell-trader in the Arafura Sea.

Unknown N. Guinea

Young Explorers Plan to Penetrate British and Dutch Territories

SUPPORTED by the Royal Geographical Society, an expedition is being or ganised in England by Mr A. J. Marshall, a Sydney zoologist, to explore Papua and the British and Dutch sections of New Guinea in 1938.

The party will sail from London for Papua in November next. Though their actual route is at present indefinite, they hope to go up the Fly River, in the West ern Division, and across the watershed, through primitive country, to the north coast of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea. Then they will seek to penetrate Dutch New Guinea.

Members of the expedition will include Gandar Dower, an international tennis player; Mr. Tom Harrisson, a member of the Oxford Expedition to the New Hebri des in 1933; and Mr. Humphrey Spender, a surveyor and photographer. The oldest member of the party will be Mr. Dower, who is 26 years of age.

Mr. Marshall has already completed a preliminary reconnaissance of portion of the country through which the expedition will travel. He visited the area behind the Torricelli Mountains in North East New Guinea and then crossed over into the Dutch territory, returning to Hum boldt Bay, the Dutch settlement near the border.

The English committee, which is as sisting in the work of making prepara tions for the expedition, consists of Pro fessor A. C. Haddon, the eminent ethno logist; Mr. Julian Huxley, secretary of the Zoological Society; Admiral Good enough, a former president of the Royal Geographical Society; and Mr. H. G.

Wells, the prominent writer.

The "Muliama"

B.P.'s New Inter-Island Vessel Will Be Ready in July

NOW undergoing construction, the new vessel ordered for Mesrs. Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. for the inter-island trade in New Guinea will be put into commission in July. She will be named the Muliama.

There will be cabin accommodation for eight passengers, as well as a dining saloon and comfortable lounge. She is being fitted with Diesel engines which will give her a speed of just over 10 knots. Her dimensions will be: length 165 feet, and beam 31 feet.

The steamer will have a capacity for 400 to 500 tons of general cargo. Ample space will be provided for refrigerated goods.

Mr. Peter Rassmussen, of Tufuiopa, Western Samoa, married Miss Anna Celestina Bet ham, of Vaimea, at Apia Protestant Church on February 6.

Samoa's Beautiful

Waterfalls

Re-discovery of "Schultz's Shower

IT is worthy of note that an organi sation of Apia citizens, under the presidency of Mr. A. G. Smyth, named the Town Planning Committee, is taking steps to open up the numerous waterfalls for the use and pleasure of citizens and tourists.

These waterfalls of Upolu, Western Samoa, are almost unique. They come pouring down off the tableland, at many places along the littoral; and, buried in the cool jungle, they provide shower-

baths and bathing-pools about which poets and similarly romantic people have raved for 50 years.

Some of these delightful waterfalls have been allowed to return to the primitive jungle; but the new committee is now planning to make most of them readily accessible.

Steps are being taken to open up a beautiful little waterfall at a place called Seseu, in Luatuanu’u village, eight miles from Apia, on the Falefa road. Inquiries by Mr. Smyth and Mr. Hufnagel-Betham show that this waterfall is no other than what was known before 1914 as “Dr.

Schultz’s Shower.”

Some 40 to 50 feet above the level of the East Coast road and a little inland of the village of Luatuanu’u runs a ledge, or tableland, upon which the village plantations are situated (says the Western Samoan Mail).

This ledge is of crescent shape and it is at its eastern tip, where the stream of this tableland above leaps out through a setting of ferns and other greeneries into space, descending like a brilliant rocket of clear cool water. Bubbling below is the inviting pool where so often in the past the late Dr. E. Schultz- Ewerth, Governor of Western Samoa when war broke out, used to bathe, some times at six o’clock in the morning.

It is suggested that the committee adopt the name by which this waterfall was sometimes referred to in the happier days of long ago. Not only is the refer ence deserving to the memory of the late Dr, Schultz, who was a sincere friend of the people of these Isles, and a student of Polynesian history, but it would also prove a tourist attraction to visitors from overseas, being within 100 yards from the Main Beach road where cars and ’buses regularly pass.

recent photograph of “Schultz’s Shower”. The figures in the foreground show by comparison the height of the waterfall.

Search For Oil

Big Equipment Coming South

AN interesting but, as yet unexplained message from Singapore, on Febru ary 27, said; “Oil fields in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea are to be exploited on a large scale.

“Large quantities of pipes and other material have reached Java, Netherlands India, for transhipment to New Guinea.”

This shows the usual newspaper muddle regarding all news relating to the Islands. If material is arriving at Java in this fashion, it clearly is intended for Dutch New Guinea, where prospecting and drilling have been in hand for well over a year by a combination of the major oil companies.

The equipment, however, may be In* tended for transhipment from Java to Papua, where the same oil companies have recently commenced an oil search on a very big scale, and where they may have reached the stage of needing pipes.

The same search is proceeding in the Mandated Territory of N.G., but on a more limited scale; and, out of the three territories, the Mandated Territory is the least likely to need pipes.

Marble Deposit Found in Fiji

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 23.

AN interesting discovery of what is believed to be a deposit of white marble is reported from the Tailevu dis trict, Eastern Viti Levu.

Samples have been secured by the Public Works Department and a great deal of interest is being taken in them, especially in view of the fact that new Government buildings are planned in the near future.

The Director of Public Works (Mr. W.

Wise) states that the commercial value of the marble cannot be determined until the deposit has been properly opened up

Christmas Is.

Sloop Leith Lands Fiji Radio Operator and Party

XHE mystery of the cruise of the * British sloop, H.M.S. Leith, has been cleared up to some extent by a report from Fiji that the vessel landed a wire less operator and seven men as a garri son on Christmas Island, in the Gilbert and Ellice group.

The High Commissioner for the West ern Pacific and the officers of the Leith refused to give any definite information regarding the voyage, but it was freely stated in Suva and confirmed by some of the personnel of the Leith that she visited several islands, and finally landed Mr. Oscar Barrack on Christmas' Island.

Mr. Barrack is a wireless officer of the Fijian Government, recently seconded to the High Commission.

He had with him a wireless plant and all necessary kit, and provisions for six months. Besides Mr. Barrack, the Leith landed a detail of seven men to keep him company and act as a sort of garrison of the island.

It is reported that after the Leith left the island, the operator’s messages were clearly picked up. Then, after a tempor ary break, the messages were heard all the way to Suva.

Presumably, Mr. Barrack is to act as an Assistant Commissioner, and keep headquarters in Fiji informed of any thing that may develop in the Anglo- American competition for the possession of certain Central Pacific Islands along the projected trans-Pacific airmail route.

Who Owns Christmas Island?

'THE action taken by the authorities * to consolidate Britain’s claim to Christmas Island focusses attention to the fact that for nearly 100 years owner ship of the island has not been clearly defined.

Hitherto, Britain and America, the in terested parties for its sovereignty, have regarded it as an almost insignificant speck on the map. With the advent of aeroplane services across the Pacific, Christmas Island, in common with a dozen other dots of land previously looked upon as more or less worthless, has assumed international importance.

United States, last year, took posses sion of Howland, Baker and Jarvis Is lands (formerly regarded as British pos sessions) and Congress appropriated 35,000 dollars for the purpose. Since then American parties have been down among the other equatorial islands —Christmas, Fanning, Pukapuka, etc.

There is no doubt that America has cast covetous eyes upon Christmas Is land. It has a big lagoon that might provide a harbour for naval surface ships as well as aircraft. While some informed quarters professed belief in December that no move regarding Christmas Is. was planned, a State Department official in Washington told the newspapers flatly

that “the United States does not recog nise British sovereignty there.’’

Reports which reached the Interior and State Departments in December said British, Japanese and French ships had visited isolated Howland, Baker and Jar vis in the previous few months, without landing.

The formal acquisition of those three uninhabited dots on the map was a mere matter of raising the flag and establish ing four youthful Hawaiian pioneers on each, but officials said that reassertion of American claims to Christmas Island would have to be through diplomatic channels.

The island, including the very large lagoon, is about 100 miles around, and contains about 60,000 acres, devoted to coconuts. It was taken over by Great Britain in Queen Victoria’s reign. The United States merely “reserved all ques tions” in 1888 upon learning that the Union Jack had been hoisted by Admiral Wiseman, of H.M.S. Caroline, “and since then the matter of sovereignty has been slumbering.”

One of the world’s largest coral atolls, the island was dubbed Christmas by Captain Cook, who discovered it in his ship, the Resolution, on Christmas Eve of 1777.

The United States claim dates from its “rediscovery” by Captain John Stetson, of New Haven, “prior to 1857.”

The island is occupied now by two Europeans and 20 or more Tahitians.

The British deputy resident at Fanning Island is its governor.

Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rogerson, who have been residents of Papua for nearly 10 years, returned to Woodlark Island, in the South-Eastern Division, where Mr.

Rogerson is Collector of Customs, by the Montoro from Sydney on February 24.

Bishop Henry Newton

Retirement After 35 Years in Papua

From Our Own Correspondent

Bpt. Moresby, Mar. 5.

Y the Macdhui, which left Samarai yesterday, Bishop Henry Newton, D.D., who was succeeded in January last by Bishop Warrington Strong, sailed for Australia to live in retirement after 41 years’ service in the tropics, 35 of which were spent in Papua.

Bishop Newton has been seriously ill for many months and it is with great relief that residents of the territory learn of his health improving sufficiently to enable his departure after so many long years of faithful service in the country. It is hoped that his health will continue to grow better, enabling him to enjoy the rest he so richly deserves.

Dr. Newton succeeded the Right Rev.

Sharp as Bishop of New Guinea in 1922.

Previously he had been Bishop of Car pentaria since 1916, having been appoin ted after 20 years’ service in Papua. He first entered the mission field in 1896, when the Anglican Mission, headecj by Rev. Copeland King, was labouring under the disadvantage of insufficient personnel, and before the Mission had been able to extend its stations along the N.E. coast, north of Cape Vogel.

As the Macdhui passed through Port Moresby from Samarai, a deputation of church members called on His Lordship to render their last service to their be loved bishop. They made a presentation to him as a memento of his long years of service in the territory.

Mr. Albert F. Ellis, British Phosphate Commissioner in New Zealand, arrived in Sydney from Auckland on March 13.

Peanut Crop On Norfolk Is.

When he was in Sydney last year Mr. Charles Bennett, a well-known resident of Norfolk Is., interested himself in varieties of peanuts suitable for growing on the island. Since his return he has made various experiments. Portion of a crop, which he believes will bring added prosperity to N.I. settlers, is shown in the above picture, taken on his property “Reotahi.”

Teopicalities

p. 13

THE suggestion put forward in this journal two or three years ago, that Australia might be glad to see Germany in New Guinea, to assist her in holding the South Seas against the thrusting power of Japan, has been advanced by several commentators recently. But the whole situation has been changed in the past year owing to the completion of a secret alliance or understanding between Germany and Japan. Defence is now the paramount consideration of British Im perial politics, and defence demands that New Guinea shall be very strongly held by Britain, and preferably, by Australia.

Its possible economic value to Germany is as nothing to its tremendous strategic importance to Australia.

Incidentally, German residents of Pacific Mandated Territories would be wise to guard their tongues more care fully. Some who have returned recently from Germany to New Guinea and Samoa have chattered very unwisely about “the future of the former German colonies.”

There is not an ounce of hostility for Germany remaining in British countries —on the contrary, one finds everywhere a growing wish for a closer relationship and very real admiration for Germany’s national spirit; but that does not mean that there is any future for those former German islands except under the British flag. It is simply a matter of self-pre servation. The things that are happen ing in the Pacific to-day—the internat ional manoeuvring for place and power— outweigh all such sentimental considera tions as whether the Swastika flag shall fly over a few coconut trees in places where, until 1914, the Kaiser was the prevailing toast. * ♦ ♦ IT has been announced that Hurricane, the story written by Charles B, Nord hoff and James Norman Hall soon after the completion of their Bounty trilogy, is to be filmed in colour by Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer, which made such a suc cess of the film Mutiny on the Bounty.

It is indicated that the star probably will be Merle Oberon. It is stated that Sam Goldwyn paid Messrs. Nordhoff and Hall £12,000 for the film rights of Hurricane. * * * WHERE is the statue of King Kame hameha, of Hawaii?

As the Hawaiian Islands are celebra ting the 200th birthday anniversary of the great Hawaiian hero, the question is a legitimate one. However, if you put that question to almost any visitor or resident in Hawaii the answer undoub tedly will be that it is in front of the Judiciary building in Honolulu’s palace square.

But this statue is just a replica. The original stands at Kohala, island of Hawaii, which district is said to be the birthplace of the “Napoleon of the Pacific.”

Both statues were the work of Thomas R. Gould, an American artist who lived in Florence, Italy. The first statue ordered by the Hawaiian legislature in 1878, was being shipped on the German barque G. F. Handel, which was burned at sea and sank off the Falkland Islands.

The statue was insured and a replica was purchased and erected in Honolulu.

In the meantime a seafaring adven turer, Captain Jarvis, wandering ashore at Port Stanley, in the Falklands, was amazed to see a Polynesian statue, and soon identified it as a Sandwich Island king. As a gamble, he purchased it from the Falkland Islanders and brought Kamehameha —the original statue —to Hawaii, where he sold it for a slight profit: It still stands at Kohala, which is an interesting off-the-beaten-track section (the northern tip) of the Big Island. * * * MRS. BAYNES, widow of Captain H.

C. A. Baynes, R.N., who hoisted the British flag in Rarotonga when the Cook Islands were annexed to New Zealand in June, 1901, passed through Sydney recently from New Zealand on her way back to England. Because of the distin guished services of her husband, also those of her father, Admiral Sir Joseph Nias, K.C.8., the King has permitted Mrs. Baynes to reside in an apartment in Hampton Court Palace —an honour accorded to only a few.

Mrs. Baynes was in Sydney with her husband in 1901, when he received sealed orders to depart for the Pacific in H.M.S.

Mildura. At that time it was considered that the French had designs upon Raro tonga which had been under British pro tection since 1880. Following a visit In 1900 by the New Zealand Premier, Mr.

Seddon, it was decided, in consultation with the Imperial authorities, to make the Cook Islands a dependency of New Zealand. For some years a section of foreign residents on Rarotonga had clamoured for annexation.

Mrs. Baynes had still another link with the Pacific. Captain Nias, her father, was in command of H.M.S. Herald, the vessel on which Captain William Hobson, R.N., left Sydney early in 1840 to proclaim British sovereignty at the Bay of Islands, N.Z. Unfortunately, their personal rela tions were marred by several unfortun ate incidents. It does seem extraordinary that the daughter of a man who wit nessed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi should still be living. The explanation is that Nias married a wo man 35 years his junior when he was more than 60 years old himself.—E.R.

Fijian Chiefly Families United

p. 13

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Mar. 1.

A WEDDING of great interest to the Fijian people was quietly celebrated at the Jubilee Methodist Church on Feb ruary 18, when Ratu Edward Tuivanua vou Cakobau was married to Adi Vase mace Tuiburelevu. The native minister Rev. Aminisitai Tora performed the cere mony.

The bride and bridegroom both are members of chiefly families of Bau. After the wedding there were the usual native presentations associated with marriage from members of both clans.

Ratu Edward leaves this month for England where he will be one of the representatives of the Fiji Defence Force at the Coronation.

Mr. J. Burston, of Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., arrived in Sydney from Rabaul, New Guinea, by the Malaita in

February.

About Islands People

pp. 14-16

Mr. M. Laborde, editor of La Franc* Australe at Noumea, arrived in Sydney from New Caledonia by the Pierre Loti on February 8.

Mr. A. McKenzie, education officer in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, has been ap pointed to the position of Director of Education in Western Samoa, in succes sion to Mr. D. A. J. Rutherford.

Mr. Charles Lumley, a well-known pearl-buyer, of the Trobriand Islands, Eastern Papua, has been seriously ill for some time.

Mr. R. D. Blandy, Assistant British Resident Commissioner in the New Heb rides, arrived in Sydney in February by the Pierre Loti on his way to England on seven months’ leave.

Mr. C. B. B. Hill, planter of Labasa, hij! who arrived in Sydney recently on short furlough by the Fiona, returned to Suva by the February Aorangi. It was his first visit to Sydney in 34 years.

I atrol Officer C. J. Adamson, who ac companied Mr. Ivan Champion on his recent long and difficult trek through the mtenor of Western Papua, left Port Moresby in March by the Van Rees for the East and England. He has been granted three months’ special leave and this, added to his furlough alreadv due, will enable him to make an extended visit land h ° me countr y in Devonshire, Eng 1, M /‘ and D. R. McDonald, former y of Suva. Fiji, sailed from Brisbane for Tulagi, 8.5.1., by the Malaita on March 6. Having been Deputy Registrar of the ■"D* Supreme Court for some years, Mr.

McDonald has now been transferred to the Solomon Islands to be Chief Magis trate and Legal Adviser.

Mr. James Norman Hall, the American author now resident in Tahiti, who has won fame with the “Bounty” trilogy written in collaboration with Mr. Charles B Nordhoff, returned to Papeete at the end of February by the Hauraki, after a visit to the United States and Canada He was accompanied by his wife and two children.

Captain J. F. Thompson, master of the Burns, Philp inter-island steamer Mai wara, arrived in Sydney from Rabaul, New Guinea, on long leave by the March Macdhui. He was accompanied by his small son Grant.

Mr. W. E. Hancock, Fiji manager of the Union Steam Ship Co., sailed from Suva early in March for America on furlough. Until he returns at the end of May, Mr. Hancock is being relieved by Mr. D. A. Butler, manager of the Union Co.’s office at Apia, Western Samoa.

Monsieur Doley, councillor to the Court of Appeal in the French colony of Reunion, has been appointed judge of the Mixed Tribunal of the Condominium of the New Hebrides. He is replacing M.

Janvier, who has been seconded to the Magisterial Service in French Indo- China.

Mrs. E. H. Chester, wife of the assistant manager at Lolorua Plantation, Kairuku District, Papua, died suddenly at her home on February 2. She had been in the Territory for a number of years, having arrived as a young girl with her parents, the late well-known Mr. H. H.

Harbord and Mrs. Harbord.

Mrs. V. B. Pennefather, of Tokua Plantation, Kokopo, New Guinea, sailed from Sydney for Rabaul by the Neptuna on February 24, She was accompanied by her mother, Mrs. J. W. Lamb, of Cess nock, N.S.W.

Mr. Ellis H. Davies, chief engineer of Chas. Ruwolt Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, de parted from Sydney for Fiji by the Monterey early in March. He will spend a week or so on the Tavua goldfield inspecting the installation of machinery and plant at the Emperor and Loloma mines, to which he is consulting engineer.

Rev. A. S. Jones, who has charge of the Methodist Mission’s Kabakada Cir cuit in New Britain, married Miss Hazel Carr in Sydney on March 6. With his bride, he returned to Rabaul by the Macdhui on March 17.

Monsieur Sautot, who has been Acting Governor of French Oceania for some time, departed from Papeete en route to Vila by the Ville de Verdun on March 18 to take the post of French Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides.

Captain F. C. Rennels, of the New Guinea Mission’s schooner Maclaren King, reached Sydney from Samarai, Papua, by the Macdhui in the middle of March.

His wife and child arrived by the same vessel.

Rev. Father Boch, a Marist missionary who has been working at Kieta, Bougain ville, New Guinea, for many years, arrived in Australia by the Van Rees during February.

Miss Ivy Lapthorne, of Cheltenham, Victoria, sailed from Sydney by the Monterey on March 5 for Suva, Fiji.

Formerly a missionary teacher, she has rejoined the staff of the Methodist Mission.

Mr. J. Pollard, who has been prospect ing for gold during recent months in the new area near Wewak, North-east New Guinea, arrived in Sydney by the Macdhui on March 11. He said that there are now more than 200 men opening up the new goldfield.

Miss Norma Winterbottom, who re cently completed a course of nursing at the Australian Board of Mission’s train ing hostel for women at Epping, N.S.W., departed from Sydney on March 6 by the Malaita for the Solomon Islands. She will be attached to the Melanesian Mis sion’s hospital staff at Fauabu, on the island of Malaita.

Dr. C. M. Dawson, who is the only private medical practitioner in Samoa, probably will be appointed eye specialist and consulting surgeon at the Apia Government Hospital. Dr. Dawson en joys the confidence of the European and native population and is a popular and successful surgeon, of great experience.

Miss I. Emert, of Chatswood, N.S.W., sailed from Sydney by the February Aorangi to take up duties as a voluntary teacher at the Methodist Mission’s Ballan tine Memorial School for Girls at Suva, Fiji.

Mr. Norman Draper, formerly mine accountant of Cuthbert’s Misima Gold mine Ltd. at Misima Island, Eastern Papua, has been appointed local secre tary of the company.

Mr. G. A. Loudon, president of the Planters’ Association of Papua, arrived in Sydney from the territory by the Van Rees on February 23, to make repre sentations to the Federal Government on behalf of Papuan rubber-growers.

Mr. Frederick E. Johnson, Treasurer and Collector of Customs in the British Solomon Islands, left Sydney for Tulagi after furlough by the Malaita on March 6.

Mr. A. C. Hancock sailed from Sydney for Lord Howe Island by the Morinda on March 4. He is secretary of the Gower Wilson Memorial Committee and will

(Continued On Next Page)

select a site for an operating theatre and surgery which will stand as a memorial to Mr. Gower Wilson. A well-known identity of Lord Howe, Mr. Wilson was lost at sea about four months ago with his son and four companions on a voyage

from Sydney to the island in the launch Viking.

Mr. W. J. Craig, Inspector for Messrs.

Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., departed from Sydney by the Malaita on March 6 on a three months’ visit of inspection to the Solomon Islands.

Madame Chatenay, accompanied by her daughter and son, reached Sydney by the Pierre Loti from New Caledonia in February to spend three months’ holiday before returning to their home at Noumea.

Dr. Allan Rutter has been designated by the New Zealand Methodist Church as the Mission’s new doctor in the Solo mon Islands field.

Mr. W. H. Carpenter, Islands manager for W. R. Carpenter & Co. Ltd., arrived in Sydney by the Chansrte on March 3, after a business visit to Thursday Island.

Mr. Walter F. Smith, of Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., New Guinea, sailed from Salamaua by the Neptuna early in March for China. He will then go on to America to spend furlough in California.

Mr. H. W. Hardy, Registrar of the Central Court at Port Moresby, Papua, is at present spending nine months’ leave in Australia.

Rev. Wallace Deane, M.A., 8.D., was elected president of the New South Wales Methodist Conference held in Sydney in February. He is well known in Islands mission circles, having served in Fiji from 1907 until 1916, during three years of which he was principal of the Teachers’ Training College at Davuilevu.

In collaboration with Rev. J. W. Burton (General Secretary of the Methodist Mis sion), Mr. Deane recently published the book, “A Hundred Years in Fiji.” Other Pacific books written by him include “Fijian Society” and “The Strange Ad ventures of a Whale’s Tooth.” Mr. Deane edited the autobiography of the late Rev.

Benjamin Danks, published in 1933 under the title of “In Wild New Britain.” Mrs.

Deane is the daughter of the late Mr.

Danks, who served primitive New Britain for the Methodist Mission from 1878 until 1886.

Archdeacon and Mrs. R. de Voil, of the Melanesian Mission, departed from Rabaul, New Guinea, at the end of February on their way to England to spend eight months’ vacation. Rev.

James Burge is acting' as Anglican minister at St. George’s Church, Rabaul, during their absence.

Mr. Walter (“Pat”) Blane Burston, who for several years was a well-known and popular resident of Rabaul, New Guinea, where he was a clerk with Messrs. W. R. Carpenter & Co. Ltd., died in Sydney in February, at the age of 33.

Mr. J. C. Barley, Resident Commis sioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, arrived in Suva from the Gilberts by H.M.S, Leith in February. He had been summoned to Fiji by the High Com missioner for the Western Pacific (Sir Arthur Richards) to confer with Mr. A.

Gaye, of the British Board of Phosphate Commissioners.

Mr. David Riley, a well-known half caste resident of Levuka, died on Feb ruary 2 at the age of 77. Mr. Riley was an agriculturist, and for many years con ducted a plantation on Naigani Island.

Mr. Ernest Whitehouse, Senior Medi cal Assistant in the service of the Papuan Administration, who recently was sta tioned at Misima Island, is now on long leave in Australia with his wife and daughter. After a visit to South Aus tralia, they were spending holidays in Melbourne in mid-March. Mr. White house was formerly in the Trobriand Islands for 10 years in a magisterial capacity. Mrs. Whitehouse was at one time a missionary sister in the service of the Methodist Church in Papua.

Menace of Whale Oil

p. 18

Antarctic Whales Soon Will Be Wiped Out

T'HE significance of what is happening * in the Antarctic should not be lost sight of in the tropical Pacific.

The chief factor in bringing copra prices tumbling down by £3 or £4 per ton recently was a well founded report that Japanese and German whaling expe ditions had secured huge quantities of whale oil in the Antarctic; and the buyers of copra used this information effectively against sellers, for a few days.

British and Norwegian whalers made an agreement, last year, to try to restrict killing and save the Antarctic whales; but the Japanese have not accepted any such consideration, and their expeditions are now very active in the south. Ger many also is planning a big expansion of her whale oil production next season and it was reported during the month that she is trying to buy two British steamers for conversion into floating oil factories.

This thing definitely threatens the stability of the copra market; but it will not last very long. It was reported from Melbourne in February that Captain J. K.

Davis, Commonwealth Director of Naviga tion, who has been a member of many expeditions to Antarctica, predicted the almost complete extinction of whales in the Antarctic within a few years, because of unrestricted killing by Japanese fleets.

Captain Davis was commenting on a message from Japan, stating that a Japan ese whaling firm had placed an order for a whaling factory ship of 21,000 tons, and a fleet of chasers to supplement the large squadron of Japanese whalers now operat ing in the Southern Ocean.

“To preserve the whaling grounds of the world 28 British and Norwegian whaling companies formed an agreement to protect the industry through the regu lation of catches and of seasons,” said Captain Davis. “The Japanese and Ger man companies disregard this agreement, and operate when and how they pldase.

At present, a large fleet of Japanese craft is operating in the Southern Ocean, and there is little doubt that whales in Antarc tic waters will be almost extinct within a few years. The whaling industry is doomed already. The northern grounds have been fished out because of this un restricted killing, and the southern grounds will soon follow.

“Any suggestion that Australia should enter now into the Antarctic whaling industry is ridiculous,” Captain Davis con tinued. “If Australia had realised the potentialities 15 years ago, it would have been wise to do so then. Now it is too late.”

Mr. J. K. Twycross, manager at Rabaul

for Amalgamated Wireless (A’sia) Ltd.,

departed from Sydney for New Britain by the Nankin in mid-February. He was accompanied by his wife and children.

Rev. C. W. Whonsbon-Aston, formerly of Levuka, Fiji, who is now an Anglican missionary in Eastern Papua, arrived in Sydney by the Macdhui on March 11.

"Pierre Loti" Held Up By Strike

p. 19

At Noumea

THE Messageries Maritimes Company’s steamer Pierre Loti was held up at Noumea, New Caledonia, at the end of February by a shipping strike which lasted six days.

The strike was a protest against the position of 22 New Caledonian sailors, which was inferior to that of the French sailors of the same ship despite the fact that all members of the crew were under the jurisdiction of the same marine board in France. The French seamen on board the Pierre Loti struck in support of the New Caledonians.

On February 25 an agreement was reached in Paris between the M.M. Com pany and the Marseilles Sailors’

Syndicate which declared that the sailors on the Pierre Loti had only the right to a local contract. The vessel sailed for Sydney the following night, omitting her voyage to the New Hebrides.

Typhoid In Samoa

p. 19

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 19.

A NUMBER of cases of typhoid fever are at present under treatment at the Apia Government Hospital. All these cases come from the locality of Vailima and Papauta.

In this connection an urgent request has been submitted to the Administration to install immediately a proper filter system in the Apia water supply, in order to safeguard public health. The request is supported by the United Progressive Party and the European elected members of the Legislative Council.

Mr. A. E. Howard, District Commis sioner of Taveuni, Fiji, has been trans ferred to Lautoka.

Fiji's Sound Trade Position

p. 19

Turnover Increased By Half Million

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 16.

AN extremely sound position is dis closed by the trade figures of Fiji for 1936, recently published in the Royal Gazette. The trade of the Colony for 1936 exceeded that of 1935 by £559.598.

Increases were accounted for princi pally by rises in the exports of copra, bananas, sugar, and molasses. An in crease of £77,675 in the value of gold ex

ported helped materially to improve the

trade position. Incidentally, the rise in gold production serves to show the steady progress that has been made by ihe main operating concern on the Tavua goldfield —namely, Emperor Goldmining Co. Ltd.

The principal trade figures were as follows: —

Exports

Exports for 1936 (with 1935 figures shown in parentheses), were:— Sugar: 140,864 tons (135,638 tons) : £1,331,701 (£1,314.128).

Copra: 34.582 tons (27.296 tons) ; £406,393 (£230,263). . .

Bananas: 19,849 bunches (16,137 bunches) : 150,147 cases (143,495 cases) ; £84,548 (£66,863).

Molasses: 22,576 tops (16,545 tons) ; £22.576 <£ fiold: (6,9230 z.) ; £131,684 (£54,009).

Trochus shell: 185 tons (298 tons); £14.305 (£20,226).

Total Trade

1935 1936 £ £ Imports 1,257,287 1,501,854 Exports 1,820,396 2,135,427 3,077.683 3,637.281

Imports

1935 1936 £ £ Value 1,257,287 1,501.854 Duty 357.215 418,757 Wharfage 10.317 12,684 Tonnage duty 2,963 3,207

Japanese In New Caledonia

p. 20

\ SYDNEY resident who recently visited New Caledonia says that the manner in which the Japanese are taking possession of the retail trades there is alarming. Japanese goods are pouring into the French colony, and Japanese retailers are growing in numbers and are taking an ever-increasing proportion of the distributing business from the Euro peans.

Some time ago, the French captured three Japanese sampans who were poach ing shell, and brought them to Noumea.

They are still in Noumea, and so are their crews, and as neither the French nor Japanese Governments will accept respon sibility for the repatriation of the latter, it appears as if the Japanese crews are to be added to the Japanese community in New Caledonia.

Radio listeners in the Solomon Islands report good daylight reception from for merly inadequate sets since the new ser vice from Station 4QN, Queensland, has been available.

Privations on Schooner

p. 20

Lost in Pacific for 65 Days

of the terrible privations ex perienced by 27 men, women, and children aboard a trading schooner which was lost in the Pacific for more than two months, reached Melbourne recently through the British Phosnhate Commis sioners’ station at Nauru.

The Regina , a Japanese fore-and-aft schooner of 75 tons, left Kwajalong Island with passengers and cargo bound for Wotho Atoll, 100 miles distant. The journey should have taken little more than 12 hours, as a large portion of it could have been accomplished within sight of land.

The captain, however, lost his bearings, and for weeks the schooner drifted help lessly, out of sight of land. The cargo consisted of rice, and while passengers and crew used this for food, the water supply became short. All hands were*in danger of death by thirst, when water was caught in the sails during a rain squall. After that, men, women, and children existed for days on scanty rations.

After drifting for more than six weeks the Regina was caught in a typhoon, and under storm canvas she was blown miles out of her course.

After she had been at sea for 65 days the craft drifted past Nauru, an island in the Gilbert Group. A boat was sent out to investigate and on boarding the schooner the crew found 27 persons lying on the deck exhausted or unconscious.

The Regina was towed to moorings at Nauru, and thanks to the care of the staff of the British Phosphate Commis sioners, all survived.

Murder In Fiji

p. 20

Woman Killed With Axe Blow

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 16.

Ty/fRS RENTE BRERETON, the 48-years old wife of Mr. James Brereton, aged 84, of Tivi Island, near Labasa, was murdered late in January. Her head was split open by a blow from an axe.

Mrs. Brereton, who was of Indian ex traction, lived alone on the island with her husband. When Mr. Brereton re turned to the house on January 27, he found that his wife was missing. After a search he discovered her body, and set out immediately for Labasa for assis tance. On his return, Mr. Brereton found that the house had been ransacked and a sum of money stolen.

The police took the matter in hand, and an 18-years-old Indian named Ramasamy has since been arrested and charged with the crime.

Mr. H. J. Topal, who has been doing medical patrol duties in New Guinea, arrived in Sydney on leave by the Mon toro in mid-February. He was accom

panied by his seven-years-old son David,

who now will attend school in Australia.

Tribal Markings Of Dutch

p. 21

New Guinea Girl

Tribal marks on the back of a native girl, Dutch New Guinea. These terrible scars are produced by cutting the flesh with pointed bamboos, and then rubbing ashes into the wounds. —Photo: W. H. Potts.

Suva Yacht Club

p. 21

Governor's Interest In Popular Fiji Sport

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 20.

IF the muster of boats at the official opening of the Suva Yacht Club s season at Nukulau Island on February 7 is any criterion, 1937 is going to be a boom year for this young and flourishing club.

Twenty-three yachts turned out for the opening, in addition to some 20 launches.

While these figures may not seem large compared with clubs overseas, it has to be remembered that the club came into being only at the end of 1932. In little over four years the progress has been remarkable.

His Excellency the Governor, Sir Arthur Richards, is a keen yachtsman, and has accepted the office of club patron.

Mr. W. B. Hancock, recently re-elected for a second term as commodore, is a tower of strength to the club, and has done much to bring it to its present strong financial position.

His Excellency was at Nukulau for the season’s opening and, in declaring it open, expressed the hope that the club would soon possess its own club house — an object which the committee has had in hand for some time and is directing all its efforts toward. His Excellency’s interest is expected to give the sport a

big fillip this season.

Signs are already apparent that it will be a record year in every way. Seven new boats have taken the water, and five more are at present being built, so that the end of this year should see a fleet of some size on the harbour.

With innumerable small islands within easy and safe reach of Suva, Fiji is really a yachtsman’s paradise, and there is no reason why the club should not become a very important one in future years.

Still No Administrator

pp. 21-22

In Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 20.

WESTERN SAMOA is still without an Administrator, as the New Zealand Government, for reasons unknown, has not appointed a successor to General Hart, who relinquished the position in August 1935. The Acting Administrator, Mr. A. C. Turnbull, has departed for New Zealand, and Dr. P. J. Monaghan, C.M.0., is Acting Administrator pro tem.

Mr. R. W. Walshe, of Domara Planta tion, Kauru, Papua, arrived in Sydney with his wife by the February Montoro.

Captain N. S. 1». Kidson, Secretary to the Solomon Is. Administration, who re cently has been Acting Resident Com missioner at Tulagi, arrived in Sydney by the Malaita on February 28. He was on his way to England on furlough.

“ Inverbank’S ” Fire

p. 22

From Our Own Correspondent .

Apia, Feb. 20.

A RECORD auction sale of damaged merchandise, landed at Apia from the S.S. Inverhank, which caught fire in December last when on the way to Nukualofa (Tonga) was held here on February 5 and 6. The goods, mostly in fairly good condition, realised exception ally high prices.

The Inverhank was reported to have got on fire a second time, after leaving Apia. She carried large cargoes of copra and cocoabeans, shipped from Apia.

Mr. P. Drayson, manager of Dylup Plantation, returned to Madang, New

Guinea, by the February Montoro.

Moonlight In The Vale

pp. 22-23

Of Wau

Some Reflections By "Mowgli"

117 E all have heard of the Edie Creek ** miner who entered Ushers’, trailing behind him a tiger on a leash. He ordered a neat “metho,” with a dash of nails; and, later, becoming maudlin, he began to weep. When asked the reason for his sorrow He replied that he had been refused the cameraderie of Edie Creek because of his effeminate nature.

The moral of the tale is that Edie Creek is a tough spot, where only the toughest survive.

There, and on the goldfields generally, any marked expression of sentiment is a violation of the miners’ unwritten code, and a sign of weakness. Should an un thinking newcomer make the remark: “What a beautiful sunset!”, the scornful reply (if any) would probably be “an other bibody hot day tomorrow!”

It has been said that there is at least five per cent of good in the worst of us and, by the same argument, I maintain that there is at least five per cent of sentiment and appreciation of beauty in the hardest-boiled miner in Morobe, des pite his grim exterior. But he would rather die than admit it.

If I am found out. I shall soon be breasting the bar at Ushers’ with our effeminate friend. It seems that I have considerably more than my five per cent of sentiment, for I never look upon the Vale of Wau by moonlight, but I indulge myself in a fantasy of dreaming and re flection. Lady Moon spreads her un earthly radiance all around and, as though in appreciation, myriads of in sects double the volume of their chirp ings. The voice of Nature otherwise is muted; all is quiet and still;, not even the rustle of a night breeze in the kunai grass.

Across the valley a few scattered lights are twinkling, and for a little while my thoughts dwell with those lonely people who have cut themselves off from con ventional life. Below their camps, a line of fleecy cloud hangs motionless over the waters of the Bulolo River, running the full length of the valley. Faintly, I can hear the river’s low lullaby. My eye follows the band of cloud, and loses it in the shadowy ridges towards the east, where nestle a number of native villages whose inhabitants live the same primi tive existence as their fore-fathers in spite of the nearness of modern Euro peans and their achievements.

Strains of music arise suddenly from Wau, to smother the sweeter voice of the river. The houses and buildings appear so close that I could throw a stone on to many of the roofs. The hotels, theatres, and dwellings are ablaze with light and, taken as a whole, look for all the world like brilliant gems resting on a black velvet ground. The music is from a gramophone, and the tune one of “Bing’s” latest. Occasionally, like forked lightning, the arcs of the talkie-picture

apparatus shine out dazzlingly, and an American voice will float upwards on the night air—“ls that so?”, “You’re tellin’ me!”

I seek again the comfort of the hills and the moonlight, and my gaze rests on the other end of the line of cloud— above Koranga Creek —a name to conjure with on the Morobe goldfield. It was here the Big Six made history, and for a time I make a sentimental journey into the past and live for a few moments with Shark-eye and his comrades, the men who pioneered Morobe.

“What changes have taken place since those days,” I think. Yet, looking to wards the gap, with its lone pine silhou etted against the dusty blue of the sky, I suppose that the jungle below has prob ably not altered since Shark-eye looked upon it. And yet, by daylight, over this jungle, aeroplanes fly endlessly to and fro —a modern commercial highway over a primitive jungle.

Before retiring, I take a final look at the aerodrome. It is large and deserted, except for a few resting planes, ghost-like in their tarpaulin coverings. Perhaps, if I look long enough, I will see dark human shapes take life, running, gesti culating, and throwing spears. Can they be the shades of natives returning to what was once their happy hunting

ground.

Meditations over, I am left with a sense of peace and contentment, for to me the beauty of a moonlight night in Wau more than compensates for the handicaps and sacrifices which life on the goldfields imposes.

Suva Town Board Must Vote

p. 23

As It's Told

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 23.

THE position of official members of the Suva Town Board was made c’ear by the chairman (Dr. V. W. T. McGusty) at the last meeting. It is virtually that official members must vote as they are instructed, in the same manner as offi cial members of the Legislative Council do.

The question arose when the chairman stated that the official side would be un able to accept a certain motion.

Mr. Alport Barker then asked if he were to understand from the chairman’s remarks that official members were to vote as they were told. He had under stood from the former Governor. Sir Murchison Fletcher, when the Board was formed that official members were to have a free voice.

Dr. McGusty replied that the position now was that official members had to vote as they were ordered unless a ques tion was put to the open vote of the Board.

Peni V. B. Tuidraki, Native Medical Practitioner, who received his medical training at the Central Medical School, Fiji, sailed from Sydney for the New Hebrides by the Morinda in February.

Rarotonga

p. 23

A "Miracle" Play In

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Feb. 12.

ON February 3, the combined London Missionary Society’s district organi sations staged their annual nuku in the

mission grounds at Ngatangiia village.

A nuku may perhaps best be described as a bowdlerised version of the mediaeval “miracle” plays, and as such usually con tains a number of unrehearsed effects which add, if not to the comfort of the actors, then certainly to the amusement of the audience. Fortunately, however, they do not, like the ancient plays, last eight days.

At Wednesday’s presentation some half dozen scenes were enacted from Old Testament history, each village contri buting one item, several of which being in the vernacular and highly pantomimic were rather difficult to follow.

At a nuku given a few years ago one of the actors was assigned the part of an angel who descended from heaven. For this purpose a length of wire had been secured to the top of a coconut tree and the actor, complete with traditional

feathers, took up a position aloft to await his cue. At an arranged signal jr.hose below slacked away on the line ami the “angel” started earthward. To the delight of the spectators his descent grew faster and faster. Winded and dishevelled, the wretched “angel” croaked his message and was then jerked skywards again!

At last week’s display, however, there were no highlights or fallen angels—at least not of the feathered variety.

Twenty-six Nauruan scouts, whose ages ranged from 13 to 17, returned to their homes from Melbourne at the beg inning of March after a two months’ visit to Australia. They attended the Cor roboree which was part of the recent South Australian Centenary celebrations.

Melanesian Missionary Lost

p. 24

At Sea

VI/'HILE travelling between the Reef ** Islands and Utupua, Santa Cruz Group, Eastern Solomons, in a whale boat, fitted with a small engine and sail, Rev. George West, of the Melanesian Mis sion, was lost at sea on January 19.

Joining the Mission from his home town, Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1913, Mr. West was sent to the Solomon Islands as a carpenter. After 12 years of ser vice he entered St. John’s College, Auck land, to train for the priesthood. In 1925, he was ordained a deacon and became a

priest the following year. Taking as his station the Reef Group, he went to the Mission’s loneliest outpost, and served there continuously until the time of his death.

The Sydney secretary of the Melane sian Mission (Major H. S. Robinson) stated that Mr. West had done exceed ingly valuable work in the Solomon Is lands, both in his capacity as a carpenter in the early days of his association with the Mission and as a devoted missionary among the people of the isolated Reef Islands, “He was a particularly modest and un assuming type of man,” said Mr. Robin son, “and few knew the real extent and worth of his labours in the Group.”

Unconventional Scientist

pp. 24-25

in New Hebrides The Unpleasant Habits of The Big Nambus

and reverend seigneurs, travelling in the New Hebrides about 1935, were gravely upset by the spectacle of a young Englishman who moved about in the apparel and habits of a native.

They said he was destroying “white prestige”; but they admitted they cou-d not expect much better, because he was “an irresponsible scientific Johnny, liable to do anything.”

The gentleman was Mr Tom Harrisson, who went with the Oxford Expedition to the New Hebrides, in 1932-4, as a biologist, and then stayed on in Malekula, where he lived on terms of great friend ship with the Big Nambus, a race of virile, warring, evil-smelling cannibals.

He gained their confidence by living as they lived, eating the things they ate, sleeping under the same rather horrible conditions. However, he was only 21 in 1932, so we must not judge him too harshly, Mr. Harrisson has written a racy account of his adventures, Savage Civilisation, published recently in London. There appear to be no copies in Australia. The following are taken from a recent news paper review: Cannibalism in Malekula follows a rule of ritual, not of hunger. After a battle, in which three or four foemen may be slain, it is the correct thing to eat soma of the victims; and every member of the tribe must take a portion under com pulsion, Mr Harrisson was not granted an exemption by his friends the Big Nambus.

“The taste is like that of tender pork, rather sweet. Some men are noted flesh lovers, and eat as much as a whole limb.

I have known only one man who definitely hungered after human flesh; he had eaten more than 100 legs. In general a small helping is enough, for this is a very filling food. The inner part of the thigh ana the head, are the greater delicacies.”

The proper cuisine for this dainty faro is to bake it wrapped in leaves in a native oven for some hours.

Young Harrisson roved a’one and un armed round northern Malekula, into which the authority of wh te Government scarcely penetrates. Sometimes he walked into a tribal war, but he escaped being baked in leaves, and on at least one occasion he was able to fix up what he calls “a damned-fool peace.” He accom plished this prcctocol between tribes with out the aid of kava , but he gives kava a high standard as a pacifist instrument.

“You don’t get drunk on kava. But it speeds up your increasing slowness.

Thoughts come cleanly. You feel friend ly; not beer sentimental; never cross. The world gains no new colour or rose tint; it fits in its pieces, and is one easily understandable who e . . . You cannot hate, with kava in you. And so it is used in the making-up of quarrels and in peace-making. It would change the face of Geneva.”

Tom grew a year’s beard on his chin, but became more remarkable for the shock of unshorn hair which fell round his shoulders. He was in this condition when he travelled on the inter-island steamer, and caused something of a sen sation. This hirsute glory fascinated the Big Nambus women. Their head-dress, which they never remove, is made of purple-stained matting, with unplaited ends falling in a purple cascade of arti ficial hair down shoulders and back, as far as the waist.

“A sure wow for me was to jerk my head to and fro, sending hair to cover all my face and then clear it again. The women would go half crazy with interest until their jealous husbands got too jealous. There are bits of my hair, yanked suddenly out of my scalp, all over the plateau, maybe still being worn by some romantic maidens, next to their woolly, lousy heads.”

This part of the book is crammed, of course, with close observations. The morals of Malekula are not those of Mos man. A page is written concerning the gross rites which initiate youths into manhood. At the culmination “this night is the one for the women. Let go!

They have the right to rape, or anything else, every man in that place. They do just that.” Savage vices combine the pleasures of Solomon with those of A'ci biades. Nesai, chieftain of Amok, has 40 wives and six ephebes.

Pioneer Of The Gilberts

p. 25

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 16.

MANY residents of Western Samoa were grieved to learn of the death recently of Mr. G. M. Murdoch, of the Gilbert and Ellice Group, announced in the December P.I.M. He had many friends in this territory, his closest being Cap tain C. Doughty, Mr. Paul Hoeflich, Mr.

H. N. Newton, and Mr. G. E. L. West brook. Mr. Murdoch was born at Dal

bettie, Scotland, in 1860.

Mr. Murdoch had resided in the Gil berts since the 80’s, having been a trader and,* later, a Government official.

Thoroughly conversant with the lan guage, he was a keen student of native folklore and history.

Mr. Hoeflich, of Apia, who hvd regu larly corresponded with Mr. Murdoch during the past 25 years, was at one time in partnership with him in a trad ing venture in the Gilbert Group.

Double Tragedy In Fiji

p. 25

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Feb. 8.

A DOUBLE tragedy occurred recently at Ra, on the northern side of Viti Levu.

Abel Ramchandra, 27, an Indian school master at Wairuku, and the wife of an Indian named Rupnarayan Maharaj, were found dead from gunshot wounds.

The police state that Ramchandra was discovered dead in his bed and that the body of the woman was found near a well in the neighbourhood of Wairuku School.

Fiji’S Governor On

p. 25

The Job

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 22.

HIS Excellency the Governor, Sir Arthur Richards, has not wasted any time in becoming acquainted with the main centres of the Colony. During the last few weeks, he has spent a strenuous time visiting centres on Viti Levu.

Accompanied by the Secretary for In dian Affairs (Dr. V. W. T. McGusty),and the Acting Secretary for Native Affairs (Mr. H. C. Monckton), His Excellency visited the Northern and Western Dis tricts, covering Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Siga toka, and Nadarivatu. Nearer home, he

paid a visit along the new road to Navua, and has also officially called at Nausori and the Naduruloulou Govern ment station.

At all points His Excellency has been welcomed by representative gatherings of Europeans, Fijians, and Indians, and on each occasion he has addressed the gathering.

It is presumed that only the fact that the Government yacht Pioneer is on the slip undergoing an extensive overhaul and survey prevents His Excellency visiting other islands of the Group, Dr. A. H. B. Pearce, Director of Medi cal Services in Fiji, returned to Suva recently after a short health trip to New Zea’and.

B.S.I. Copra Shipments Delayed

From Our Own Correspondent

Tulagi, Feb. 14.

1 jCHE slight fall in the price of copra , bas not disheartened planters as it might have, as medium prices had come to bg regarded almost as normal. The recent few weeks of almost soaring prices gave a decided lift to Solomon planters, as much mental as actual.

The pity of it is that quite a lot of copra could not be shipped when prices were high, owing to inclement weather.

Much of it is still lying on the beach, depreciating in weight, and, if the present trend continues, depreciating in market price value every Monday morning.

Training Sailors

An Inland Nation Is Training Sailors

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Feb. 2.

nPHE Polish training ship Bar Pomorza *• arrived at Papeete from Honolulu early in January and departed on Janu ary 15 for Buenos Aires, via Cape Horn.

This vessel —a three-masted square rigged sailing ship carries about 200 cadets who are being trained for the merchant service after the old manner of instruction in sail. Poland, like Fin land, evidently believes that sailing ves sels are not yet obsolete and that the way to make mariners is to train them in the old methods of navigation.

Dad's Journey

I NEVER growled and never fussed, but lived ' here calm an’ still.

For 70 years I lived here on the hill in Wombatville.

“Don’t live here like a snail,” said Dave, “within yer small shell curled.

“I’ll pay yer fare to Nauru Isle, an’ let yer see the world."

An’ so I got on board the ship an’ whirled off like a breeze.

But all I see upon the trip was dirt and ropes n’ grease; Sea-water, rocks, an’ sich-like things, sometimes a bird an’ hill.

Sez I to Dave, “All these ’ere things I see in Wombatville.”

We saw the Canterlever, that caused so much loud moot, An* saw a mess er phosphate kinder tumbling from a shoot; “If you spill some sugar from a spoon,” sez I to Dave, sez I, “Tis ’zactly the same principle,” as Dave could not deny.

We walked along the Topside an’ Dave said, “1 call this grand.”

“They’re nought,” sez I, “but great big hunks of rock an’ dirt an’ sand.”

We then came to the harbour, an’ it made Dave look perfound.

But I sez, “I don’t see nothin’ but some water sloshing round,”

We went to several villages--there’s nothin’ there to see.

But just er mess er houses an’ some folks like you an’ me; An’ last we see the wireless mast. Sez Dave, “How’s this for high?”

Sez I, “It’s jest like Wombatville—the same ol’ thing,” sez I.

Nauru

F.H.D,

Fijian Bandsmen Win Trophies

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 22.

T'O encourage members of the Fijian * Defence Force Band in efficiency a cup was presented last year by Mr David Riemenschneider, proprietor of the Hotel Metropole, for the best all-round bands man.

The competition evoked great interest among the Fijians and was keen throughout. The winner was Bandsman Vilitate Vavaitamana, with 214 points, and the runner-up Corporal Jokatama Tuikaba, only one point behind.

Announcing the result, Major C. B.

Joske, Acting Commandant of the De fence Force, announced he would give a special trophy to the bandsman who had the best attendance during the year. This was won by R. Saimone, who had at tended on every one of the 140 occasions on which the band had practised or paraded.

Mr. Dutchie Low, son of Captain and Mrs. Low, of Suva. Fiji, married Miss Emily Barrett at the Sacred Heart

Cathedral, Suva, in February. They sailed

later by the Tui Cakau on a honeymoon trip to the Lau Group.

Mr. A. A. Ragg, Assistant Director of Public Works in Fiji, arrived in Sydney from Suva by the Esperance Bay in the middle of February en route to England on leave.

Japanese Eyes On Dutch New Guinea

p. 27

Leasing Plan Not Well Received In Holland

THE following newspaper despatches tell their own story.

The following, from Tokio, was published in Sydney on March 1: “It was suggested in Parliament that Japan should conclude a non-aggression pact with Holland.

“It was also suggested that Japan should approach Holland for permission to lease Dutch New Guinea.

“The Premier (General Hayashi) replied that the matter would be studied. adding that Japan had no territorial ambitions in the Dutch East Indies.”

The following was published in Sydney on March 3: — The correspondent of The Times at The Hague states: “Tf the fox preaches religion the farmer should protect his geese,’ is a Dutch proverb summarising the attitude of the local newspapers towards the Japanese suggestion that Japan should lease Dutch New Guinea for settlement. The suggestion has aroused indignation throughout the country.

“Newspapers angrily declare that the discussion of the lease of Dutch territory is out of the question. ‘Moreover,’ it is added, ‘the Japanese are untrustworthy, and will use every method, even the most secret and crooked, in the pursuit of their aims.’

“The Telegraff declares that Dutch New Guinea is of no commercial value to the Japanese, and that the only Japan ese settlement there is a failure.

“The newspapers are unanimous that the only value Dutch New Guinea has for Japan is military. Its peaceful pene tration would eventually create a situa tion intolerable to Britain and the United States, the newspapers declare.”

According to a message from The Hague, received in London on March 2, it ig authoritatively stated that a pact between the Netherlands and Japan is not in line with Dutch policy, and that the granting of land concessions in Dutch New Guinea will only be considered in (jividually and not collectively,

Minister’S Visit To Batavia

rpjjE following was despatched from 1 Tokio on March The Asahi says: “The proposals to lease Dutch New Guinea and to achieve the colonisation and economic penetra tion of the Dutch East Indies await the return the Mr. Kuwashima, the new Japanese Minister to Holland, who is now going to Batavia to discuss the situ ation with Government officers; and, it is reported, to allay fears of Japanese

aggression.”

Dutch New Guinea As It Is To-Day

pp. 27-32

THE following article was written for the “Pacific Islands Monthly,” in January lust, hy Mr. William H. Potts, a young Englishman, mho left Sydney late last year with the American, Dwight Long, in the ketch “Idle Hour”. They parted company in Papua, and Mr. Potts subsequently wandered through the Trobriands, New Guinea and Dutch New Guinea.

IN modern times, when wireless has al most annihilated distance, there still remains a land which is a closed book to much of the outside world Dutch New Guinea.

It is not on account of its size, how ever, that it has been overlooked, for it has an area of 120,000 square miles and more; but it has provided its own barriers to man’s invasion, with its un

compromising landscape of impenetrable jungle and snow-capped mountains.

It is now more than 80 years since Dutch authority was established, when negotiations were finally completed with the Sultan of Ternate for the transfer of his suzerainty of north and west New Guinea to the Netherlands flag. He still has certain rights and powers, but ’ his actions are subject to the approval of

the Government. A similar position ex ists in respect of the Sultan of Tidore, whose suzerainty extends over the south

ern part. At the moment the latter is in his minority and a Regency is in control.

The early history of the country was clouded with the unhappy activities of slave raiding by the Sultans, but this, of course, was abolished when the Dutch East Indies Government took control. In spite of the long period of their admini stration, there is a negligible amount of commercial development, and during the last three or four years only has there been any real stimulus, and that mostly by foreign companies.

TT is quite understandable, however, A with the infinitely rich and produc tive Indies fully occupying their atten tion, that the Dutch have given New

Guinea scant consideration. Only now, after political pressure has been brought to bear on them to do something with it, are they giving some encouragement to its development and serious attempts are being made to discover gold and oil, whilst concessions have been given to a Japanese company to grow cotton.

The natives have been brought under control only in the coastal districts, with one or two exceptions, and cannibalism and headhunting are still rife in the interior. At the present time there is a small Government expedition in the country behind Port Humboldt (or Hol landia, as it is now called) which lies at the eastern extremity of the north coast, near the border of the Mandated Territory. One white man, a German of long experience in the territory, is in charge, and the purpose is to settle and bring under control the wild natives in those parts.

His method provides an interesting contrast with that of the Papuan Gov ernment, who usually send into unex plored territory one magistrate, accom

panied by a patrol officer, a few native armed constables and 30 or 40 carriers.

They make a journey lasting three months or more, travelling as best they can, track or no track, making friends where possible with the natives and re turning to civilisation with ample infor mation but no decisive control established.

By comparison, the Dutch method is slow, but there is a more permanent result. As progress is made from village

to village, a good track is cut and made, whilst messengers are sent on to the districts ahead to inform the natives that a white man will be arriving in a few days. Thus the element of surprise is prevented and fighting avoided.

The geographical aspect has not been ignored and, since 1910, several large and well equipped expeditions have visited the interior. Maps are available which show very few of those blank spaces marked “Unexplored,” a familiar feature of the those of the neighbouring British territories. One of the more extensive journeys cost the Government a quarter of a million pounds, and at the moment of writing (Dec., 1936) news has just been received that Mr. Colijn, the son of the Netherlands Prime Minister, is returning from a successful ascent of Carstenz Summit, one of the highest peaks in Dutch New Guinea, whose cap

Mr. W. H. Potts, at the border-stone between British and Dutch New Guinea.

of eternal snow rises more than 16,000 feet above sea level.

Armed protection is afforded in the Dutch territory by soldiers drawn from many parts of the Indies. They are weJ trained at Batavia and equipped with sabres and modern magazine carbines.

A.l Government officials are accompanied by them on their patrolling duties and, altogether, they number about 800 in New Guinea.

District government is exercised by Controleurs who have magisterial pow ers over Europeans and natives alike.

At intervals they patrol the areas in their charge and some of the more ardu ous duties, such as native tax collecting, etc., are deputed to assistants from Am boina and Ternate. The Controleurs are responsible to the Assistant Resident at Manokwari, who in his turn is subject to the Resident at Amboina, which is the administrative centre for the Moluccas and New Guinea.

HTHERE are less than 10 settlements in * all Dutch New Guinea, and one usu ally finds about half a dozen Europeans, some natives of the Indies, Chipese stores, and a few soldiers. There is a monthly service of steamers, but there are no hotels or banks. The occasional traveller may find accommodation at the pasangrahan, which is a superior rest house.

One of the most difficult problems awaiting the settler is that of native labour, far more difficult indeed than in the two British territories, where more has been done to assist him, whilst giv ing the native fair terms. There are two classes of labourers, the free and the indentured. As the name implies, the former may terminate his employment when ever he wishes; there is no con tract. The latter, however, appears before the district Controleur and agrees to work for a specific time, up to three years, at a fixed rate of pay. If he deserts, he may be imprisoned for a short time, and returned' to his employer.

Both kinds are housed and fed, and these regulations are applied, broadly speaking, in all three territories of New Guinea, with the added and formidable difficulty that under the Dutch Govern ment, indentured labourers to be em ployed in the northern part must origi nate from the southern one and vice versa.

Transport costs are so high that this is impossible in practice, and to-day only free labour is used, which itself is far from satisfactory as the natives invari ably wish to return home within six months, leaving the employer to find new workers and pay more travelling ex penses.

Another difficulty is created by the re gulation forbidding professional recruit ing, thus compelling the employer, or one of his employees, to find his own labour ers, whereas in the British side a re cruiter will bring them to him at a fee varying from £5 to £l2 per head, accord ing to district. Recently several hundred coolies were brought from the Indies to Dutch New Guinea in connection with

oil prospecting work, but again, the ex pense of this method of obtaining labour would be prohibitive to the average em ployer. hears much to-day of the activities " of the Japanese in the Western Pacific, and New Guinea has not escaped their attention. Prevented from settling in Papua and jthe Mandated Territory, they have been Successful in obtaining concessions from the Dutch, though not on the scale they had wished.

Nanyio Kohatsu Kaisha is the opera ting company, with a capital of 20,000,000 yen, and during the last - three years they have cleared an area of 7QO acres

of jungle at Nabire, in Geelvink Bay, on the north coast, and experimented with cotton growing. Every variety has been tried and American cotton has proved the most satisfactory. But up to the present more attention has been given to experiment than actual produc tion for export; a very necessary course,

Dutch New Guinea women wearing skirts made from a large leaf, which is first prepared by baking and rubbing.

as the available data on cotton produc tion in New Guinea is negligible.

Further clearing is in progress and they hope to have about 1,400 acres in production during the next few months.

The colossal task of converting New Guinea forest to open agricultural land has called for an army of native labour ers, numbering 1,200 at times and mostly from Biak Island. There are 17 Japanese in residence, some with wives and families.

They have another concession at Momi, within a few hours’ steamer run of Na bire, where they have cut a rough track, 25 miles long, which leads into the moun tains. There they have built houses for the native labourers who collect dammar and bring it to the coast, whence it is shipped to Japan. A few acres of kapok are cultivated, in addition, on a small coastal clearing.

There are no individual Japanese settlers in Dutch New Guinea.

The spiritual welfare of the natives has not been neglected and there is a mission

school in every settled village, with a teacher from the Indies who imnarts elementary education in addition to religious instruction. A small subsidy is granted by the Government.

Dutch Protestant missions operate in the northern half of the territory, and Catholic ones in the southern division, Unlike those in the British territories, they do not engage in any form of trade,

THE natives themselves have learned J, , , .

neighbour™ in the^Stish'°part

cotfon and "nLriof tobacco are found in manv districts alone: the north ma^t On the Island of Japen in Geelvink Bay they collect dammar and cut teak, and on arrival of the steamer it is a quite remarkable event to see the heavy trunks of timber dragged by an excited crowd

Starting life again in Dutch New Guinea—the home of a colonist at Manokwari,

of natives from the beach on to huge rafts, which are then slowly paddled to the boat. A large quantity of these native productions are purchased by Chinese merchants, who travel on the steamer for that purpose.

The incentive to this activity on the part of the natives may be looked for in the imposition of an annual tax of three guilders and thirty-six cents, which is equivalent to about ten Australian shil lings at the present rate of exchange. It is payable by all male natives in con trolled areas, except those who are infirm or too young to work.

SOME years have passed since the large trade in the export of bird of para dise plumes was stopped by the Govern ment. Another great development is afoot, namely, oil production. It is too early yet to say what the future may hold in that respect, but very large con cessions have been granted to Nederland sche Nieuw Guinea Petroleum Maatschap pij, an offspring of the Shell and Stan dard Oil Companies. Large bases have been established in the McClure Gulf, at Babo, and at the western extremity, near Sorong.

Most of the area involved lies in the flat country, and aeroplanes h?,ve been used, from which a complete photographic survey has been made during the last few months and the most promising ground will now be prospected in the usual manner. Already a quarter of a million pounds has been expended in what is probably the most difficult country in the world for any kind of prospecting.

IT will be recalled that only during the last 15 years an immensely rich de posit of gold has been discovered in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, and many hold the opinion that a large quan tity may be found on the Dutch side. / The opportunities which arose in the former country for the individual pros pector will not be available in Dutch New Guinea, however, as all the ground likely to bear gold has been leased to one company, Nederlandsche Nieuw Goud Maats., which is sponsored by the Oro ville and Billiton Companies and the firm of Erdman and Sielken, Prospecting is in progress but, so far, without substan tial result.

OF less ambitious character financially, but none the less interesting, are the Communist camp at Tanahmerah. 250 miles up the Digoel River, on the south coast; and the colonisation of a number of unemployed men from the Indies on land at Manokwari and Sabron.

The Tanahmerah camp was established by the Government some years ago, and about 1,200 malcontents from the Indies were taken there, housed and given all the necessary agricultural implements and land to enable them to realise that earthly paradise about which they had talked so much. The only stipulation was that they should remain there and a garrison of soldiers was sent to ensure that they did so. Like other similar attempts, however, it has failed and the

Communists are not even self-supporting.

The Government is obliged to send a boatload of food at regular intervals.

Occasionally one or two escape, but they are usually devoured by the cannibals who roam between the Digoel and Fly Rivers.

THE scheme of unemployed colonisa tion is of more particular interest as it represents the attempt of a Govern ment, harassed by its supporters, to deal with the problem of unemployment.

Drawn from the ranks of unemployed native and half-caste clerks, shop assis tants, etc., from Java and Sumatra, the

first detachment of colonisers, many with wives and children, sailed for New Guinea in 1928 and an association was formed, Stichting Immigratie Koloni satie Nieuw Guinea, to conduct the enter prise at Manokwari and dispose of the agricultural produce, giving each colon -Ist living necessaries to the value of the credit of his output. It has not yet proved a profitable undertaking and much of the deficit is made good by charitable public subscription in the Indies, The scheme makes it possible, however, for a penniless man to obtain a small

financial assistance from the Govern ment, spread over three years and de creasing annually, build a simple house and clear two and a half acres of jungle.

But even the most industrious man in the colony has only eight acres in pro duction and makes a bare existence; though, as he said, it was better than selling pencils in the streets of Surabaya.

Up to the present day there has been only a trifling export production, in spite of the fact that there are 200 working colonists, but this is partly accounted for by the colony consuming much of its own produce.

There are only about 30 colonists at Sabron, which is near Hollandia, and this section there is a different as sociation. The district is somewhat un healthy and financial assistance is not available, but a newcomer may earn a little by working for the association for a part' of his time. Nevertheless the results have been very disappointing there.

At both centres, the principal items grown are cassava, maize, cocoa, rice, and cotton.

It may be gathered, therefore, that this creditable attempt is not likely to have much effect on the number of un employed in the Indies and a few colon ists have abandoned their holdings and returned. Very few of them are of an

agricultural or labouring class and, nat urally, they find the work of extending their production very arduous, whilst shortage of money prevents them -from employing sufficient native labour to ac complish the task, sd for the time being it seems to be case of stalemate.

AS to the future of Dutch New Guinea, one might perhaps turn to Papua and the Mandated Territory, where de-

velopment has been in progress for a much longer period. Apart from gold, the only large exports from there have been copra, with rubber in addition from the former. They have been produced and exported under infinitely more fav ourable conditions than could be found in the Dutch Territory, and even if lab our regulations were eased a little in favour of the employer (and there is good authority for saying that the Dutch Government is unwilling to do this) there still remains the obstacle of ex ceedingly high freight charges by the steamship line which has the monopoly of the inter-Indies business. On the British side, ships call at the main ports and take copra direct to Europe, but the exports from Dutch New Guinea will have to be increased many times before such as opportunity arises there.

It is rather to the valuable products, oil and gold, that one must look to give the country the li£e blood which it needs-

Natives loading logs of teak on to a steamer at Japen Island, Dutch New Guinea.

The Onion Returns

p. 33

Short-lived Joy of Tahitian Garlic-Haters

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Feb. 15.

A LUSTY chorus of hallelujahs and praises to Allah echoed to the firma ment when the S.S. Cape Rom arrived at Papeete bearing a goodly supply of sound, fresh onions and garlic.

The exhaustion of many food staples and the threatened deprivation of others —due to the maritime strike —had been viewed with equanimity and philosophic calm.

But when the last onion and garlic disappeared consternation stalked in nearly every household and the air trembled with ululations of despair. Food had lost its savour; had become Dead Sea fruit, and as dust and ashes to the palate.

And what made matters worse was the Tantalus torture of seeing boxes and bar rels labelled onions and garlic brought ashore from the Hauraki, only to find the contents decayed and ruined by the long voyage through the tropics.

On the contrary there has been great rejoicing and unholy glee among the small band of onion and garlic haters, whose olfactory senses have been out raged—since time immemorial —by the foul odours haunting Papeete during the cooking hour For the first time in many years the highways and byways of the town have been fragrant and wholesome, free from the reek of frying onions, the ghastly fumes of boiling garlic as well as the stale shadows of dead and gone onions of many generations.

But that happy period of abeyance has passed and the atmosphere of Papeete has resumed its normal flavour.

Organising A Buying Agency

p. 33

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Feb. 12.

MR. “VIRI” WATSON, who has been trading in Rarotonga for the past six years, and is at present on a visit to New Zealand, has established head quarters in Auckland, where he has joined un with the National Traders’ Associa tion. His intention is to organise a buy ing agency for small retailers and in dividuals requiring purchases made on behalf in the Dominion. “Viri”

Watson has always been known as a shrewd buyer.

In the meanwhile, his business in Raro tonga will continue under the manage ment of Mr. D. Odegard—until lately, A. B. Donald’s branch manager on Penrhyn Island.

Mr. Dan Leahy left Cairns, Queensland, by the Montoro at the end of February on his way back to Mount Hagen, New Guinea, after completing a tour of the world.

World Tourists At Apia

p. 33

And Suva

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 20.

HTHE Norwegian tourist cruiser Stella * Polaris paid her sixth annual visit to Apia on February 19. She had 124 tourists on board, who, favoured by clear and sunny weather, much enjoyed the elaborate programme of excursions and dances on board. As usual, a large num ber of prominent persons were making

the famous world cruise, under the aus pices of the Raymond-Whitcomb organi sation.

She left after a visit of only eight hours, for Suva.

Mr. J. Blaikie-Webster, chairman of directors of New Guinea Goldfields Limited, sailed from Brisbane for Port Moresby, en route to the Morobe gold fields, New Guinea, by the Montoro at the end of February. He was accom panied by his wife.

Ready For Hurricanes

p. 34

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Feb. 11.

VA/ITH characteristic thoroughness, ” Judge H. F. Ayson, the Resident Commissioner, in conjunction with the Island Council, has drawn up and issued for public information a detailed pro cedure to be followed in the event of another hurricane striking the island.

A number of safety zones have been arranged and they will contain, besides first-aid supplies, a quantity of lead headed nails and hammers for the repair of roofs loosened by the wind. Mes sengers selected from the ranks of the Boys’ Brigade will stand by to maintain communication between Avarua and the

outlying districts, while two gangs of workmen will endeavour as far as pos sible to keep open the roads. Safety Committees have also been formed in all the villages where they will meet emergencies as they arise.

During the hurricane of 1935 Judge Ayson was unfortunately absent in New Zealand. It was felt at the time that had he been present stronger and more effective measures might have been taken to minimise the danger, both to property and life.

Mr. William C. Groves, the well-known Pacific anthropologist, who has been ap pointed Director of Education at Nauru Island, sailed from Melbourne for Cen tral Pacific with his wife and family by the Triaster on March 3.

Salamaua V. Lae

p. 34

How Shipping Co. Was Treated

AN outstanding example of the ideas which dominate the administration of New Guinea was provided recently when the Burns, Philp steamer Neptuna was on her way south from Asiatic ports.

The Neptuna had to call at Lae, as well as Salamaua; and it was most ur gent that she should make the quickest possible time to Sydney. The B.P. man ager at Salamaua therefore asked the District Officer at Salamaua whether, in the special circumstances, it would be possible to allow the Neptuna to enter at Lae (instead of at Salamaua, which is the official port of entry) and then go on to Salamaua, and thence southwards.

This would have saved the company several hours. The company was pre pared to send the necessary officials (medical officer, customs officer, etc.) from Salamaua to Lae, at its own ex pense.

D.O. Taylor, who, as well as being an efficient officer, is a most reasonable man, said he could see no objection to the proposal; but that of course he formally would have to advise Rabaul.

Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. accord ingly made arrangements to enter the ship at Lae, and radioed the Captain to that effect.

But, on the eve of the ship’s arrival, there came a radiogram from Rabaul containing a flat refusal to allow the Neptuna to enter at Lae —she must go to Salamaua in the usual way. So, of course, the ship had to go to Salamaua, and the company’s plan to save time, for the reason referred to, had to be abandoned.

This is typical of the pin-headed bur eaucracy which is causing so much trouble in New Guinea. Commercial interests and planters, with growing fre quency, are voicing complaints against the Administration; while statements made privately by New Guinea officials indicate that there is considerable and growing discontent within the N.G.

Public Service.

The Administration’s decision to send the Neptuna to Salama-ua is, of course, linked with the recent incident wherein the Administrator cancelled his charter of the Lockheed aeroplane. It is lill part of the Administration’s campaign against the Lae airport, in favour of Salamaua.

Free Education In Samoa

pp. 34-36

Apia, Feb. 18.

THE Samoan Administration has an nounced that in future free education will be granted to all European children attending Government schools. It is hoped that this concession will also be granted to children attending the inter denominational Marist schools and that, for that purpose, the Marist schools will be granted a subsidy.

European children enjoyed free educa tion under the German Administration in pre-war days.

Mr. F. A. Campbell, surveyor at the Emperor goldmine, Tavua, Fiji, married Miss R. Barling. M.A., Dip. Ed., of Mel bourne, at Davuilevu early in February.

Rev. Cyril Cato performed the ceremony.

Wooing The "Maidens Of The Deep"

pp. 36-38

A Tongan Missionary Goes Shark Fishing

VI JHEN Rev. Father Boussit, curate at the Catholic Mission, Haapai, Tonga , went on a shark fishing expedition rec ently in the Mission yacht “ Fetuu Moana”, he met with such success that he elatedly wrote of his adventures to his former class-mates at La Seyne-sur mer, in France. His charming little story, adapted from the French tty Rev.

Father E. Tremblay, is printed below.

OINCE my arrival in Tonga I had heard so many fantastic tales about shark fishing that I was longing to have a chance to sample the sport myself. The opportunity came sooner than I had hoped for.

There was hard work being done on our Mission compound, but owing to hard times there was a scarcity of tinned beef.

The work lagged, and sometimes the men did not even show up. Then the pastor got a brain-wave: why not let the Fetuu Moana (Star of the Deep) go out to catch some shark meat?

Came Sunday afternoon, and with a number of shark “experts”—for shark fishing is a “fine art” handed down from father to son—l boarded our home-built

schooner. What paraphernalia greeted us! Empty kerosene tins, sticks and clubs (drums and drum-sticks), and.sets of fago fago (half-coconut shells strung on a green stick the ends of which are bent back in the shape of a horseshoe and tied together). The latter is a sort of rattle for underwater use and is sup posed to call the sharks. Then, of course, there were conch shells of various sizes, with a small hole drilled in the narrow end. When they are blown by strong natives these miniature fog horns pro duce an unearthly base note that can be heard for several miles.

We recited our three Hail Marys, sang a few* verses of the Ave Maris Stella . . .* and then we were off. If this shark fishing business has anything to do with devils —and there are many Tongans who think so — surely these prayers scared them off!

What a beautiful sea! What sweet, pure air! How good it felt to enjoy the cool of the eventide after the terrific heat of day. After the Angelus, the chief shark “expert” informed me that I alone might take some refreshment; for woe betide the expedition should anyone else dare to eat “on the sly”—no shark would come near the ship.

Soon we were far out en the deep. The shining frills of the white-fringed reefs had long since been left behind. Most of the natives were asleep, save the two “experts.” They simply could not keep quiet.

Suddenly one of them began to yell at the top of his voice, “broadcasting” as it were to the sharks. “Beautiful girls of the briny deep,” he cried, “come from your nice villages; come over with some of your friends. Come over and see our new boat, a boat with an engine in it.

Come over and let us see your beautiful

The Mission yacht “Fetuu Moana”, which took Rev. Boussit and a party of Tongans on the shark-fishing expedition described in the accompanying article.

eyes; come on board and we will give you a great feast. Come and let us put this sweet-scented necklace (a lasso) round your neck . .

But in spite of all these tender and alluring words not a single shark ap peared. None came near even after the pandemonium of tin-cans, fago fago rattles, conch shell blasts, screams, and war-whoops let loose on the stroke of midnight.

Then from sheer weariness everyone dropped to rest. Silence reigned. It was dead calm on the dark deep—l could hear only the gentle lapping of the wavelets on the prow of the ship. Some of the Tongans were gazing intently into the water, but all they could see was like a sprinkling of phosphorescent stars bobbing up and down like liquid fire-flies.

This is a common sight in the South Seas at night.

How fine it felt to lie in the cool on one’s back and “star-dream.” Orion was sinking slowly westward. Away out to wards the east, the Scorpion began to creep across the heavens. Southwards, very high up, face to face with the Hun ter, shone the Southern Cross. What a splendid night!

I tried to sleep, but rest was soon dis turbed by a second frantic “broadcast” of clanging noises making a thundering racket. And yet still not a single shark was wooed.

A faint tinge of dawn heralded the coming of a new day. Night, the best time to catch sharks, would soon be over.

My Tongan friends seemed pathetically down-hearted as they began to think that our first shark expedition with the Fetuu Moana would prove a “washout”.

At dawn I said Mass down below —a Mass offered up for all our Marist Mis sionaries who have been lost at sea. It was deeply impressive, this first Mass ever to have been said on board the little schooner on the vast ocean. I added a wee prayer for those fishermen who had caught nothing . . .

Then, during breakfast, a joyful shout brought me scampering on deck. “ Malie!

MalieT (Fine! Fine!), I heard them cry

ing. At last a shark had stirred and was swimming slowly around the ship, A lon le the en(l of which wa3 baited with a chunk o£ pork, was held

Another photograph of the “Fetuu Moana”, taken in 1933 just after she had been built at the Catholic Mission Station, Haapai, by natives under the supervision of Rev. Father E. Tremblay.

out over the water. All the beautiful Tongan love-language was soulfully re cited over and over again. But no; the monster was in no hurry. Tired of wait ing, I went below to resume breakfast.

Up on deck again, I saw this time that the shark was much nearer. Sud denly it spied the tempting meat, and its wicked little eyes sparkled with drunken hunger. It seemed hypnotised. Then,

forgetful of all danger, it wheeled quickly, darted forward, and turned over, opening a trap-like mouth with gleaming rows of sharp, terrible teeth. As the pole was drawn closer and closer to the ship, so higher and higher out of the water rose the shark, until it was right along side the ship, half out of the sea in a grasping effort to tear off the bait.

The psychological moment had come.

Gently the lasso was slipped around its head behind the gills. A swift strong jerk and the monster was pinned along the gunwale. A pair of muscular arms swung high a club to dash its brain out, and soon it had ceased to struggle and squirm.

Wildly delighted, the natives hauled the huge fish on board, all the while insulting it with all the bad names they could think of. Then, in its honour, a little “tune” of conch shells, tin-can music, drums, and water-rattles was played. Everyone was happy now—the Mass had not brought bad luck, as some had secretly though it would, but per haps sharks after all are only mere fish and not devils.

We sailed a little further on. Soon three more 7ft. sharks were caught in the same manner, and honoured with the same “tunes.” We sailed still further and another was lured aboard. The sixth one to appear was a veteran mon ster. In vain the Tongans tried all the tricks of the game; but the shark was too wise. It declined to come too near, although it succeeded in making off with a large junk of pork. So we gave it up and decided to sail home.

We were but a few miles from the shore when again the natives began a deafening “broadcast” of conch music.

Our expedition had been a success, so tell the world! Excited, they agreed to give the Governor and a big chief a shark each, in accordance with Tongan custom. Then, with smiles on every face, we arrived at the Mission compound, as the conch shell blasts grew stronger and stronger and wilder and wilder.

As we sampled a huge bowl of cooling kava, the whole story of the trip was related with much laughter and gesture.

Next day the entire Catholic popula tion —and other denominations as well- — came to work at the Mission. It was a terrifically hot morning, but they worked tirelessly and unceasingly. What a dif ference to the previous week! There was strength in every pair of arms, and joy ful peals of song and laughter from every throat, as the work of levelling the com pound proceeded.

Why did they work with such gusto?

Why were they singing and happv?

Why? Because, over there, across the way, beneath a smouldering mound, the Tongan “fireless cooker” was baking brown and crisp hundreds of pounds of shark and native vegetables. The very thought of the sumptuous feast to follow was enough to make anybody work with a will!

Finding Your Way Around

p. 38

Sydney

A TOURIST map of Sydney and suburbs, which shonM nro ,r e verv helpful to Tslande»'« spend ing furlousrh in N.S.W., has published by Kenneth Craigie and Co.. 16 Bridge St.. Sydney.

Printed clearly in black on heavy white paper, the map extends on the nor f h to T' /r t. Ku-rina'-gai and Newport, on the south to Port Hacking, Waterfall and Campbelltown. and on the west to Riverstone, Rooty Hill and Kenny Hill. A speci ally prepared index of over 460 suburbs, localities, pleasure resorts, and where to find them is printed at the foot of the map. The size is 30 by 40 ins., folded in cover 8 by 6 ins. The price is 1/6. **♦

A Country Ballad

p. 39

Concerning a Free Library in Fiji

live in a quiet country place And natural bumpkins be; So why should Council or Government Pay heed to such as we ?

We know all this deep in our hearts.

And feel humility ; • Yet the spirit of rebels and fighting men Comes even to such as we.

Of rates and taxes we pay our share, As high as the town’s, they be; Yet our roads and tracks are a howling shame — But suffice for such as we.

Brothers and sisters come they all, From cities, poor us to see; They eat our salt, and drink our beer.

And marvel at such as we.

They say, “You must come and call.

Some day when life is free; And admire our gorgeous homes and streets’’ — Kind words for such as we.

We think of their words what they think of our beer—- Whicu is ambiguity!

I’m much afraid that the call’s riot paid— Know better than that, do we.

And among our many hardships.

Is lack of a library.

And we long for lots of papers and books, But they’re not for such as we.

In Suva Town there is a place Given by Carnegie, Crammed to the door, with books galore.

But not for such as we.

We cannot choose our fiction; Not even a list can we see— But they DOUBLE the darned subscription For people such as we.

On top of the sub. we also pay— Shall we tell Carnegie?— Fourpence in stamps for every book Posted to such as we.

The only available catalogue Is kept in the library.

In vain we try a copy to buy— » It’s not for such as we.

We have to take what they send us, No matter what book it be.

They will not be faced with the personal taste Of country clods like we.

The fate of the papers and journals old Is a dreadful mystery.

They may be lent —but they’re never sent To outback folks like we.

Only to-day we opened Our books excitedly— They were both by Bertha Ruck, sir.

And NOT for such as we.

But the P.M. grabbed our eightpence. (Oh, that such things should be!) And City folk keep battening On country mugs like we.

Fiji.

Kai Viti.

N.G. Goldfields Theft

p. 39

» From Our Own Correspondent WAU, Feb. 16. \ T the Circuit Court, William C. Abbie was sentenced to 21 months’ gaol, with hard labour, and Eric Hylton Stacey to one year’s gaol, with hard labour, for gold stealing. D. Parker was sentenced to 18 months for receiving.

Mrs. Amy Madeline Gatward, wife of Mr. W. T, Gatward, a pioneer of the Tailevu District, Fiji, died in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital at Suva in

February.

“Mystical Papua”

p. 39

THE Sydney Sun of February 22 is * responsible for the following piece of bilge.

The Swedish film company Svensk Filmindustri proposes to send an expedi tion of film directors, photographers, technicians, etc., to make films of the “dangerous regions of New Guinea.” It proposes to go to places “inhabited by cannibals and not yet explored by any white expedition. By means of native canoes propelled by detachable motors they will penetrate along the rivers into the mystical Papua to film the famous headhunters. It is hoped that the travel lers will be assisted by British patrols.”

By the time the expedition gets past the New Guinea and Papua ordinances which forbid entry into the uncontrolled areas, and has entered “mystical Papua” and the district of the headhunters, very large quantities of water will have flowed under innumerable bridges.

Mr. R. A. Vivian, Resident Magistrate

at Kerema, Gulf Division, Papua, arrived

in Sydney on leave by the Montoro on February 18. Mr. C. H. Karius, formerly at Cape Nelson, is now relieving at Kerema until Mr. Vivian comes back.

Eclipse

p. 40

To Observe Rare Solar

Two Expeditions Will Visit Lonely Phoenix Group

JOINTLY sponsored by the United States Navy Department and the National Geographical Society, an expe dition will leave America shortly for the Phoenix Islands, north of Western Samoa, to make observations of an eclipse of the sun which will occur on June 8. The eclipse will be the most remarkable and of the longest duration for 1200 years.

Plans have also been completed for a party from the New Zealand Astronomi cal Society to visit the Phoenix Group in one of the N.Z. warships to view the eclipse. It is reported that a number of Australian astronomers will probably join the N.Z. expedition.

The lonely Phoenix Group, comprising about a dozen small islands, are just south of the equator in mid-Pacific, and are on the direct route between Hawaii and Fiji. They will provide the only specks of land from which the total phase of the eclipse will be visible.

A New Industry For Wau

p. 40

From Our Own Correspondent

Wait, Feb. 16.

IT has long been advocated that steps should be taken to foster the growing of marketable agricultural products in Morobe so that should gold production fall below economic levels, Wau would not, like “Sweet Auburn,” become a de serted village.

For some time coffee, grown by Mr.

C. L. B. Wilde, has been obtainable from local stores, but only in limited quanti ties, unworthy of what is considered to be a very fine product. Mr. Wilde has cleared a large area of his property near Wau for this purpose, and what may be the starting point of another primary industry for Morobe, will be watched with interest.

After The Coronation

p. 40

ISLANDERS who are visiting England this..year to witness the Coronation ceremonies will be able also to attend the famous International Trade Fair, held at Paris during the whole of May. After the Coronation thousands of busi ness executives and sightseers will cross over to France and transact business at, and see the exhibits of, this gigantic Fair. Due to these extra visitors and the immense volume of exhibits, the Fair will be Open for a month, and thus the full range of world manufactures can be seen at leisure.

First commenced in a small way in 1904, this Fair has now assumed such importance in the world as to be recognised as the event at which the latest developments in international manu facture will be on view. Always cosmopolitan, Paris at the time of the Fair is brighter, more varied, more interesting than ever. It is possible to meet and to observe the tastes and needs of individuals of every nationality, and every class in life.

The Trade Commissioner for France, Wynyard Street, Sydney, can furnish further particulars to South Seas residents who anticipate being in England or on the Continent dui'ing May. ***

Navigators Of Eastern

p. 41

Polynesia

Old and New Methods

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Jan. 27.

TF the American maritime strike con tinues much longer the mariners of this part of the South Seas will have to go back to sail.

Copra is gathered into Papeete from widely scattered islands by schooners powered with Diesel engines. At the present writing, supplies of Diesel oil are nearly exhausted and, until the strike be settled, there is no prospect of any fresh arrival of this product.

One wonders how the present genera tion of young skippers will react to the necessity for navigating by sail after so many years of motor transport. In the days of sail most of our old schooner captains had a very sketchy knowledge of the science of navigation.

One was particularly famous for ar riving at his destination by instinct rather than calculation. Usually his chronometers were out of order or he forgot to use them. He could calculate latitude and he would navigate his schooner to the latitude of the island for which he was heading and then sail east along the parallel. If, after two or three days, the island did not turn up he would know it was in the west. So he would turn his ship around and sail west on the parallel—and always arrived at his destination.

Even to this day, native skippers voy aging to the Tuamotus make for the atoll Anaa, directly east of Tahiti. They can hold their course by the sun.

Anaa has the peculiarity of possessing a shallow lagoon which reflects a faint green colour patch on the overhanging clouds. This is visible at a long dis tance. Native skippers watch for this and even if they have drifted consider ably out of their course, this faint green glow on the clouds in the distance will set them right.

Once at Anaa, the rest is easy. From there, east or north-east, a schooner is bound to sight island after island. If the island sighted is the wrong one, the navigator can soon get his bearings by finding out which island it is, and even tually arrive at the haven he is seeking.

The natives of the Austral Islands (south of Tahiti) where such new fangled things as Diesel engines have not been introduced, have not lost the art of sailing. Recently, the Rurutu schooner Manureva made a record voyage from that island to Papeete before a smart southern gale. She had her lee scuppers under water the whole of the way, and shed chicken coops, pigs and other items of deck cargo into the sea, while her passengers held on to ropes and any pro jecting tackle to keep themselves from following.

But, as a European who was on board bears witness, her crew handled her like master mariners sailing a yacht in an international cup race.

S.D.A. Training Centre

p. 41

A CONFERENCE of Seventh Day Ad ventists in Melbourne during Feb ruary, was informed by Pastor A. G.

Stewart that it was proposed to open a new training school presumably for S.D.A. mission teachers —at a spot about 28 miles from Rabaul, in New Guinea.

The period of training would be from three to five years.

Pastor Stewart said that the Seventh Day Adventist missions are now opera ting in most of the Pacific Islands —from Pitcairn Island in the east to Northern New Guinea in the west.

Captain L. E. Austin, manager of tht Papuan Government’s coffee plantation at Sangara, Eastern Papua, who has been spending a couple of months’ furlough in Australia, returned to Papua by the Montoro at the end of February. Mrs.

Austin, who has been abroad, is still in indifferent health and probably will re main in Australia for some time.

Search For Oil In Papua

pp. 42-47

The Muddling of the Federal Government

Part 11.

\ NUMBER of expeditions, hacked by powerful companies and subsidised liberally by British Governments, are now seeking an oilfield in Papua■ — and, probably, will succeed. This article, the second of a series written by a resident of Papua, tells the story of the discovery of petroleum in the Territory, and of the subsequent attempts at development.

THE partners got to work promptly, secured Powers of Attorney from their friends, and proceeded to peg out as many claims as they could in what seemed to them the most likely spots.

But they no longer had the field to themselves. A few individual specula tors, with little or no knowledge of the district or of the locality of the indica tions pegged out claims haphazard with out much reference to geography or to one another. But their operations were

orderly and sane in comparison with the delegates of the British New Guinea Company, which sent out men well equipped with stores and means of trans port, but very much more at home be hind a store-counter or an office-desk tnan in the barbaric surroundings of the Papuan jungle.

These men went to work fiercely, their only method to drive as many pegs as possible. They seemed to have no idea even of the working of a compass. Their imaginary lines crossed one another and those of other prospectors.

In one instance, they drove no fewer than five datum pegs within a circle of a hundred yards radius, and registered claims to two and a half square miles of land on an area of rather less than one square mile! If, in their rather frigh tened rush through the scrub, they hap pened to see a peg that had been driven by another man, they promptly pulled it up and substituted one of their own. The result, when plotted out on a map of the district, was a complicated network of intersecting lines and superimposed rectangles that covered, several times over, most of the land to about twelve miles from the coast, but that never departed more than half a mile from the bank of the river.

Exactly what method a harassed War den could have adopted to solve such a puzzle it would be hard to say. Fortun ately for him, unfortunately for Port Moresby solicitors who might have scored heavily over the litigation of rival claims, the matter was never put to the test.

This rather fevered activity was at its height when Mr. J. E. Came, a well known New South Wales geologist, ar rived on the Vailala River for a preli minary investigation of the field. His investigations did not go very far, for he was merely putting in time owing to a delay in the arrangements for his in spection of the coal deposits reported on the Purari River by Messrs. Little and Mackay in 1909. But he saw the indica tions first discovered, and he saw the oil seeping slowly from the sandstone 20 miles up the river; and, although the question as to volume of supply remained unsolved, he went away fully convinced as to the occurrence of petroleum. r T T HE partners had pegged out claims to include the actual occurrence of oil; and, with a few Powers of Attorney in hand, they tried to discover, in more remote parts of the jungle, a series of signs as good as those up the river.

It was on one such expedition that Thomas collapsed with a sudden attack of blackwater fever. His condition was serious from the first onset of the dreaded disease, and the conditions at the rough camp, many miles from the nearest settlement, and among very pri

mitlve natives, were as adverse as they could well be.’

To add to the difficulties of the position rain fell heavily and incessantly.

The whole of the countryside was flooded knee-deep and the tracks were invisible; and the local natives, scared by the illness of a white man for which they imagined, illogically, that they might be held responsible, retired to remote huts and shelters in the depths of the bush.

But, somehow, he was carried out. The same fear that drove the bush people to hiding inspired the indentured labour-

ers, so that they worked obediently, if sullenly. A stretcher was rigged, with an inadequate awning to protect the sick man from the pitiless rain; and he was borne stumblingly, clumsily,, jerkily, through the yielding mud and halfsubmerged forest to the river bank, and thence by canoe for 10 miles to the coast, and another 10 miles along the beach to the nearest mission station.

Being blessed with a strong constitution and a healthy body, he survived the agonising ordeal, and after a few days of crisis began to recover slowly.

Lett returned to his prospecting; but he was not allowed to carry it on un disturbed. Jealousy raised its ugly head and spat venom at him and his absent partner. Counter-claims to the discovery were made by men who had never been in the bush until the report of oil roused cupidity to smother their fear of it. Pro tests were lodged against the claims that the partners had pegged, and against the Powers of Attorney that they held; and commercial oppression was openly threatened by a local company that had failed to gain control of their interests.

Thomas returned to the plantation, weak and emaciated, but alive; and at the first opportunity the two men left by steamer for Port Moresby and went on to Thursday Island, where they might use the cable in an attempt to negotiate their rights.

Papuan Government geologist, Evan R. Stanley, began an exhaustive examination of the oil-bearing country, and extended it to cover a great deal of territory where no indications had yet been seen. J. E. Came resumed his investigations after a disappointing and arduous trip to the Purari coal-beds. He confirmed Stanley’s observations, and left for an extensive examination of the Borneo and Java oilfields, to compare the conditions there with what he had seen in Papua.

The investigations of Lett and Thomas resulted in the disclosure of two more sets of oil indications: one near the little village of Aro-Aro, where Thomas had gone down with blackwater fever, and the other at the base of the le hills, about 15 miles east of the Vailala River; while the series that contained the actual flow of oil had been extended some miles across the river to the east.

The discoveries having been made in spite of their opposition, the natives of the district began to come forward with Information as to further “shows;’’ and by the end of June, 1912, surface indica tions had been seen over an area of more than 500 square miles.

By that time the partners had done all that they could do, and nothing remained but to await the result of their negotia

tions. They had an agreement with the British New Guinea Development Co. to hand over to the company four of their claims in return for a cash payment of £lO,OOO as soon as their applications were granted. But the granting of applica tions was held up pending the passing of legislation to deal with oil lands; and such legislation must be preluded by more detailed instructions from the Com monwealth as to the form of control that would be acceptable.

They began to devote some attention to their young plantation, which had been almost entirely neglected since the first discovery, nearly a year earlier.

Weeds had grown up in the interval; a lush tangled growth that is inevitable on rich soil in a wet, tropical climate.

Most of the young nuts that had been planted were strangled by the twining vines, or their tender roots smothered by the encroachment of lalang grass. Fallen timber had been left to lie too long, and was past hope of burning by a running fire, so that hundreds of tons of half rotten debris would have to be stacked and burned at the cost of almost infinite labour; and seed nuts, laid out in orderly rows in the nursery beds, had grown leggy and weak, and practically useless for planting. Thomas was incapable of further hard physical work; and his part ner was debilitated by almost continuous attacks of malaria and by the long-drawn physical strain.

TN mid-July, 1912, a bag of mail was * brought to them by a native constable from Kerema. Among the letters was one from the Warden of the Division.

It stated in cold official language that the policy of the Commonwealth Govern ment had been changed. The Common wealth itself would develop the field. No leases would be granted. The question of a reward to the discoverers would be further considered when the value of the field became known.

There were also letters from financiers in Sydney and Melbourne, making cauti ously tentative offers; and three from representatives of big and firmly estab lished companies in England and Amer ica, hinting at the staggering sums that they were prepared to pay in exchange for the supposed rights of the discover ers.

At that point, the partners fade out of the story. Thomas went down with a second attack of blackwater in October, 1912, and had to leave the country; and he died from a third attack that devel oped in Sydney in April of the following year. His partner survived to pay off gradually the accumulated load of debt that the partnership had incurred; and he is still waiting, after 24 years, for his share of the promised reward!

TN 1912 the competition between the •*“ world’s great oil companies for new sources of supply was very keen; and the news of the discovery of a possible new field in Papua aroused lively interest.

Two courses were open to the Com monwealth Government. They might either develop the field themselves, a course that implied very heavy expen diture and the use of hired experts who might be influenced by alien interests;

or they might permit the work to be done by established companies, keeping in their own hands full control of the oil produced, and imposing any condi t.ons that might seem necessary for the safeguarding of their interest and the guarantee of adequate productive work.

Of these two courses, after mature consideration, they chose the first. But it would appear that in so doing they had no very full idea of the enormous cost involved, or of the many difficulties that must stand in their way.

The British New Guinea Development Company, on making application for prospecting areas in Papua, did not wait for the granting of their applications, but took immediate steps to start work.

Through their London office, they en gaged the services of F. C. Grebin, M.I.M.E. (Freiburg) ; and when the de cision of the Commonwealth Government not to grant leases was made public, he was already on his way out to Papua with A. Voinitz, an Austrian, as his assistant, and with a small boring plant capable of putting down test bores to a depth of about 700 feet.

Grebin arrived in Melbourne en route to Papua; and the Commonwealth Gov ernment, to avoid inflicting hardship on the company that had engaged him, took over his services in spite of the fact that they had themselves engaged a man and placed an order for a larger plant. Grebin reached the Vailala River on October 20, 1912, and immediately set about making a preliminary survey of the surrounding country. Satisfied as to the prospects, he ascended the river and landed at a spot opposite the oil seepage on December 4.

THERE was a good deal of preliminary work to be done. Land had to be cleared, houses built, machinery and stores landed, and a derrick rigged, be fore actual boring could begin; but he started boring on Jan. 18, 1913, and on May 8 he struck a small flow of oil in black sand and shale at a depth of 228 feet.

Not satisfied with this, he continued bor ing until, when a depth of 242 feet had been reached, in oil-bearing sandstone, on May 19, a big tree fell on his derrick, completely wrecking it and forcing him to abandon the bore.

A new derrick had to be constructed of timber, and this delayed the work until June 16, when a second bore was started on the same anticline and within about 100 yards of the first bore.

By the end of June, 1913, he was down to 133 feet in the second bore, and had begun the construction of reservoirs be tween the steep ridges, intended to con tain the oil that he confidently expected to strike at a shallow depth.

On January 10, 1913, J. H. Locke, an Australian driller of considerable experi ence, arrived on the field. The known oil-bearing country had then been divided into two sections, separated by the Vai lala River; and the policy was to con duct the search on the two areas simul taneously.

Locke landed his heavy plant on the east bank of the river, opposite Grebin, got through his preliminary work, and •tarted boring on April 15. He, like

Grebin, found the strata very favourable, consisting of sandstone, shale, and sand, alternating with narrow bands of grey limestone; but early in June he was troubled by mud-pressure at a depth of 262 feet, and found a great deal of diffi culty in keeping his hole vertical under the strong lateral pressure of it.

Already, there was a good deal of trouble with the machinery supplied.

Grebin’s plant was intended only for com paratively shallow boring, and neither it nor the much heavier plant that Locke was using was equipped to deal with the many difficulties that present themselves in drilling for oil in this district.

A sample of oil from Grebin’s first bore was sent to Melbourne, where it was dealt with by Mr. W. P. Wilkinson, the Federal analyst, who divided the sample into two parts. The first of these he subjected to analysis, and after separa

tion and filtering, the following charac teristics were noted:- Odour,—Of crude petroleum.

Colour.—Pale (cinnamon) brown.

Fluorescence.—Bluish green.

Specific Gravity at 60 deg. F.—0.8082.

Flash Point.—At air temperature, 51.8 deg. F.

Refractive Index at 20 deg. C.—1.4485.

Sulphur Compounds.—Almost completely absent Polarization.—Practically nil.

The crude filtered oil was allowed to stand for a few hours, and deposited 3.4 per cent of crystalline waxy matter simi lar to paraffin.

The second portion of the sample was distilled in the standard Engler appara tus, giving the following data:

Mr. Wilkinson mentioned in his report that the data obtained from distillation showed the oil to contain relatively large quantities of spirit and burning oils, with smaller proportions of lubricating oils; and remarked that the sample was closely similar to the oil obtained in Borneo, Sumatra, and the adjacent is lands. At the same time, he pointed out that the crude oil obtained during the

first flow in boring operations is not always a guide to the character of what will come later as the flow continues.

THE Commonwealth Government, in

* the meantime, had been looking for an expert in oil-geology who might make a complete survey of the field, which Stanley’s efforts had now extended from the Kikori River to Kerema and for 40 miles inland—an area of not less than 2000 square miles. They found whom they wanted in the person of Dr. Arthur Wade, who had enjoyed a good deal of experience in Egypt, both in the matter of geological survey and also in the practical working of petroleum fields.

Dr. Wade arrived on the Vailala River on October 15, 1913, to make a survey and to select sites for boring, taking over from Grebin, whose agreement had ex pired. In the bores that Grebin had put down the signs continued favourable; and his results so impressed Dr. Wade that, after making a survey of the coas tal belt from the Kikori to Yule Island, he still considered that the area chosen on the Vailala River was the most promi s ng of all that he had seen.

Locke continued to experience difficul ties with lateral mud pressure, and had to abandon his first bore without increas ing its depth. He started a second bore within 100 yards of the first, but met with the same trouble again and, under Wade’s instructions moved his heavy plant across the river to a new site near Grebin’s bores. Thus the idea of pros pecting two areas simultaneously was abandoned, and for the next few years the efforts of Dr. Wade and his staff were confined to the small area on the right bank of the river that had been cleared by Grebin.

A CANADIAN driller, named Moure, arrived on the river on June 18, 1913, and left again on the 30th with a load of malarial germs that would last him for many years. Another Canadian, Cypher by name, took his place a few months later, bringing with him a more power ful plant than Grebin had been using; and he drilled to a depth of 390 feet, bottoming in mudstone and blaclt sand, before his agreement also expired, and he left the field on November 18, 1914.

Water collected in the abandoned bore; and it was not until the arrival of an other driller in May, 1915, that the accu mulated water was shut off and oil began to flow. Cypher had struck this small flow oi oil at 250 feet; but, expecting* a better flow at depth, had drilled past it; and from the greater depth water percolated in considerable volume. When once this was shut off, oil began to flow slowly but steadily. A hundred gallons seeped to the bore-head during the first week; then the intrusion of mud checked the flow, and in the second week the amount of escaping oil was reduced to 50 gal lons.

THE results achieved so promptly had their effect on the Commonwealth .

Government, and Lieut. Jones was sent, in charge of H.M.A.S. Stuart, to make a marine survey of the coast with a view to finding harbourage for ships that

Temp. Vol. of Sp. G. Flash Refrac.

C. distillate at 60 F. point Index 20C. 108 to 130 10 p.c. 0.749 under 60 F 1 417 130 to 150 15 p.c. 0.757 ,, 60 F. 1*423 150 to 200 24 p.c. 0.775 ,, 63 F. 1.4335 200 to 250 17 p.c. 0.807 122 F. 1.4505 250 to 300 16 p.c. 0.839 196 F. 1.4655

might carry to Australian refineries the oil that they hoped would soon flow copiously. Dr. Wade, too, apparently had high hopes; for he compiled, during the first year of his engagement, a careful report of the various possible methods of transporting oil from the bore-head to the seaboard.

“The oil has the characteristics of the shallow oils obtained in the Dutch Indies,” he reported in 1915. “At depth, we expect heavier oils in greater quan tity, and the above (i.e. the oil from Cypher’s bore) has strengthened confi dence.”

Dr. Wade, after completing his year’s engagement, returned under a new agree ment to take complete charge of the operations.

Prospects at the end of 1915 were as good as they could well be. In each of the bores that had been started the ex pectations of the geologists had been ful filled. In each of them the drill passed through strata of sandstone, mudstone, shale, and sand; and in each the pre sence of gas and the smell of petroleum, if not the actual oil itself, kept hope high and confidence growing.

Stanley, the indefatigable geologist to the Papuan Government, carried his sur vey further afield, and investigated the Cape Vogel peninsula, on the east coast of the island, where he was able to re port in 1916 that a tertiary series of mudstones, sandstones and limestones prevailed identical in age with the Vai lala petroleum series. He also found gas and brine springs, and occurrences of brown coal and lignite, and confidently recommended the district for further investigation.

But, although prespects became ever more encouraging, progress was woefully slow. To the difficulties inseparable from work in a primitive country were added every obstacle that a malignant fate could devise.

Dr. Wade experienced to the full the difficulty that has faced every man and every company that has attempted con structive work in Papua; the irritating difficulty, that is, of making accurate estimates of costs and forecasts of pro gress. Health played a very important part in the programme of obstacles; de lays in transport; time''wasted in replac ing men who became incapacitated by malaria or by the more dreaded black water fever; the rawness of native lab our, and the impossibility of watching their every movement.

The distance from the telegraph, and the apparent lack of experienced men in Australia to check the material for warded to Papua, resulted in calamitous short-shipping and other expensive mis takes. There were delays in manufacture and delays in forwarding; machinery was sent to Papua with essential parts missing; and when, often after months of delay, the shortage was eventually made good, the new parts did not fit, and more time was wasted in repairing the mistakes.

On several occasions, work on the field was held up for many weeks together, and experienced drillers, drawing salar

ies of £lOO per month, had no better occupation for their time than the super intendence of gangs of native labourers who were engaged in planting sweet potatoes.

Bore after bore was started, carried to a depth of a few hundred feet, and aban doned either because the pipe-line had been choked by some tool inadvertently dropped down it, or by the lateral pres sure of mud between steeply inclined strata, an affliction that the machinery supplied was not capable of dealing with.

In all, 12 bores were started on the Vailala, and the greatest depth reached by any of them hardly exceeded 400 feet.

In every one of them, the indications of oil were good, and small quantities of oil were actually obtained from most of them.

But, in every one, drilling had to be discontinued owing to some difficulty that might have been overcome by adequate finance or by the complete and far reaching organisation that is the chief strength of the world’s great oil com panies. (To be continued)

Mr. Henry Maurice Scott, only son of Sir Henry and Lady Scott, of Suva, and who recently returned to Fiji from Eng land, has been admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Fiji by His Honour the Chief Justice, Mr. O. C. K. Corrie. He is the third generation to be called to the bar in Fiji, his grandfather, the late Mr. W. Scott, having also been admitted.

Norfolk Island Administrator And His Family

p. 43

'X'HE Administrator of Norfolk Island • (Captain C. R. Pinney, M.C.), who recently arrived in Sydney with his wife and family by the Morinda to spend two months furlough in New South Wales, returned to Norfolk Is. in March. Mrs.

Pinney, who underwent a severe opera tion recently, is now very much improved in health.

“Norfolk Island is looking forward to a prosperous season,” said Captain Pin

ney, “and the outlook is more hopeful than for some years. One of the biggest factors was the opening in January of a passion-fruit pulp factory, which will mean a great deal to the Island. Pros pects for the season are good and it is expected that a hundred tons of pulp will be produced. Next season this quan tity may be doubled.

“There is no market now for N.I. bananas,” he continued. “The settlers

growing them have let their plantations go in favour of the passion-fruit crop.”

Mrs. Pinney is a daughter of the Lieu tenant-Governor of Papua (Sir Hubert Murray), and she and her husband are well-known in that Territory, where for some years Captain Pinney was Commis sioner for Lands and Director of Agri culture before being appointed to take charge of affairs at Norfolk Island.

Captain and Mrs. C. R. Finney , and their children, Miss Maura Finney (left) and Master Peter Finney.

Education Burden

p. 48

Carried By Missions

From Our N.Z, Correspondent

Auckland, Feb. 20.

/CRITICISM of the educational policy of the authorities in the Solomons, both _that part administered by the Colonial Office and that mandated to Aus tralia, was given by Rev. J. F. Goldie, pioneer Methodist missionary of the group, on his arrival here recently.

Practically all the education work was left to the missions, yet they did not receive co-operation and assistance. “A native wants more than mere protection,” he said. “Unless he is developed men tally and morally, a slave mentality is created, and the natives become an un natural, unbalanced type.”

Missionaries did not interfere with

native customs and tabus, and make natives wear European clothes and eat European foods. They sought rather to adapt old native customs and give them a new meaning. The missionary to-day was usually a keen anthropologist. It was time the old idea of him as a well intentioned, misguided fellow, forcing a religion on unwilling natives and des troying their culture, was dispelled.

Mrs. Lucy Grey, wife of Mr. Elijah Grey, died early in February at the War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Fiji, at the age of 33. She had been on a visit to Penang, Northern Viti Levu, when she became ill and was taken into Suva for treatment. Mrs. Grey, who had been married only two years, was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Nelson, of Western Samoa.

Manus-Built Pinnace

p. 48

THIS smart-looking boat was built by * a Manus (New Guinea) planter, Mr.

H. 0. Fletcher, using only native labour and native material—namely, quila. It is 29 feet long, and its Invincible engine will drive it along at 10 knots. It has done 14 knots under sail only, with fav ourable conditions. Mr. Fletcher and his natives were two years on this building job.

N.G. Public Service

p. 48

QTAFF movements in the New Guinea Public Service announced in February were:—

Transfers:

Govt. Secretary’s Dept.: C. W. Hams, clerk, Public Health Dept, to Stores Branch, Treasury Dept.

Public Health Dept.: C. M. McArthur, medical assistant, Rabaul to Madang, District Services Dept.: W. J. Read. Assistant District Officer, Rabaul to Madang ; F. H. Moy, cadet, Kieta to Rabaul ; Mrs. T. Broadbent, typiste, Registrar-General’s Branch (Govt. Secre tary’s Dept.) to District Services Dept.

Dept, of Agriculture: W. McG. Pestell, inspec tor and instructor, Rabaul to Morobe District.

Lands Dept.: N. H. Fisher, geologist, Rabaul to Wewak.

Public Works Dept.: D. M. Marr, mechanic, Rabaul to Salamaua.

Police Force: R. C. Clammer, Warrant Officer, Rabaul to Wau.

Engagements:

Public Works Dept.: G. A. Ogg, roadmaster, Sepik District; C. E. Atkin, roadmaster, Morobe District; A. B. P. Field, roadmaster, Morobe District.

Dept, of Agriculture: C. F. R, Gilbert, inspec tor and instructor.

Hundred

p. 49

Five Against Five

How King's Medal Winner Arrested 100 Papuan Raiders

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby. Feb. 12

TTOW five native police arrested 100 raiders without bloodshed is recalled by the recent award of the King’s Police Medal to Sergeant Gaiberi of the Papuan Native Armed Constabulary.

Gaiberi was recruited in 1896 from Kiwai Island, and has served continu ously for 40 years in the Police Service, for the last 28 being Senior Sergeant.

His service has been marked by consis tently good conduct, rather than by sen sational achievements.

Early in 1930 he was at Tufi when news came that a party of bushmen from the interior had been drowned when the canoe in which their coastal friends were carrying them had struck a rock and sank. The tribe to which the drowned men belonged scornfully refused to be lieve the story of the accident.

No Papuan believes in accidental death; and any fatality that occurs is attributed to violence or to sorcery.

The bush tribe concluded that the coast people were to blame for the deaths and they got together a war party of 500 men. Marching down to the coast,

they destroyed all the gardens of the coastal tribe, and murdered two women.

Before they could carry their revenge further the news reached Gaiberi at the Government station. The white officer was away on patrol, so Gaiberi took mat ters into his own hands.

With four constables and all the hand cuffs on the station he set cut to meet the 500 raiders, and ordered them to sur render.

The raiders laughed. ‘‘You are five,” they jeered, “and we are many. What can you do to us?”

“I can do this,” said Gaiberi, and snapped handcuffs on the wrists of the leader.

“If you do not come with me now.” he shouted above the confusion, ‘T will come *o your villages with many men and many guns. There will be sorrow among you, and many dead men, and women crying.”

The raiders thought matters over. They

knew the power of the Government, and they knew Gaiberi. In the end they threw down their spears. Gaiberi selected 100 of them and marched back to the station, where he locked them up.

Since then there has been no raiding in that district, and Gaiberi’s reputation is greater than ever.

Died Before Receiving Medal

p. 49

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Mar. 5.

SENIOR Sergeant Gaiberi, the Papuan policeman who was awarded the King’s Police Medal, in the New Year Honour’s List in February, has died at Cape Nelson, in the North Eastern Divi sion, before the medal was presented.

Tahiti's Trade

p. 49

Doubled Last Year

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Jan. 27.

\ NNOUNCEMENT of the exports frcm and the imports into French Oceania, covering the first nine months of 1936, as compared with the same period of 1935 reveal the following:

All copra exported in 1936 was sent to France.

Phosphates from the rich island of Makatea (within the colony—l2s miles north-east of Tahiti) were exported to Japan and Sweden —81,890 tons to Japan, and 12,802 tons to Sweden.

Exports

1935 1936 Met. tons Francs Met. tons. Francs Copra 13,791 7,701,000 16,156 14,548,00 Phosphate 95,961 — 101,092 ■— Vanilla 614* 1,374,000 624* 2,673,000 Shell — — 501* 124,000 * Metric hundredweight.

Imports

1935 1936 From Francs Francs France 3,366,000 9,329,000 Colonies 202.000 190.000 Foreign 13.409.000 17.370.000

Fiji’S New Bridge

p. 50

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Feb. 12.

progress continues to be made '“J with the construction of the bridge across the Rewa River, 12 miles from Suva, one of the biggest engineering works undertaken in the colony. Work is now proceeding on the last two piers of the structure.

Its completion will do away with the

cumbersome and inconvenient pontoon, which has served for many years, and which has to suspend operations nearly every time there is a fresh in the river.

Had the original borings proved ac curate, the work would probably have proceeded faster. But in the case of the last two piers, though it was calculated that bottom would be found at 75 feet, a solid foundation had not been reached at a depth of 145 feet.

"Hector The Mexican"

p. 50

Unusual Companion for Americans on Pacific Cruise

r>AY KAUFFMAN and Gerry Mefferd, the young Americans, who sailed across the Pacific in the ketch Hurricane , were distressed to learn on arrival at Sydney of the death in Colombo of “Timi,” the Bora Bora lad who accom panied Dwight Long on his adventurous cruise.

Twelve months ago their trim little craft was at anchor in the shadow of

towering Tai-manu, Bora Bora’s majestic

landmark. There was much excitement in the village of Vaitape as Madame, who conducts the one hostelry, had received a mail from her son, “Timi.” The N.Z. newspaper clippings included a picture of “Timi” seated on an elephant in the Auckland Zoo. But “Timi” declined to accept Long’s offer to return to Bora Bora from New Zealand, and he sailed on to find a lonely grave in Ceylon.

The two Americans, however, have an equally interesting companion with them —“Hector,” a young Mexican. “When hear us calling him 'Hector,’ ” explained Kauffman before the Hurricane left Sydney in February for Lord Howe Island, en route to New Guinea, Java, Capetown and Europe, “they imagine it to be some kind of a joke. But ‘Hector’ he has always been and ‘Hector’ he will remain.”

“Hector” comes from the Yucatan, where many famous ruins have been dis covered within recent years: he is of mixed Maya and Spanish descent. When he joined the Americans he could not speak one word of English. Like poor “Timi” had “Hector” now, however, has a broad American accent, Kauffman and his companion left Florida, in April, 1935, sailed down the American coast to Panama, then crossed to the Galapagos, and later spent some time in the Marquesas and the Leeward Islands. From Tahiti, they followed Dwight- Long’s tracks to Penrhyn, then sailed by way of Samoa and Fiji to Sydney.

Suva Bowling Club

p. 50

Suva. Feb. 20

AFTER a very successful year, the Suva Bow ling Club held its annual meeting on February 11. Mr. J. H. H. Millett was again elected president for the 1937 season.

Other office bearers elected included: Patron, Sir Henry Marks; vice-presidents, Messrs. M. M.

Brodie and A, P. Matthews; committee, Messrs.

W. G'. Garnett, A. Goodfellow, J. Pederson, H.

Adcock, W. E. McGowan, R. Steward and Dr.

E. B. Buckeridge; secretary, Mr. C. C. Clark ; treasurer, Mr. M. M. Brodie; auditor, Mr. A.

Lewis.

Mr. James Daly, a prominent French man in New Caledonia, reached Sydney by the Pierre Loti on February 8. He is a director of the firm of Barrau which has several branches in the French colony and also in the New Hebrides. Mr. Daly is vice-president of the Conseil-General at Noumea, which corresponds with the

Executive Council under British law.

Pages From The Past

pp. 51-52

By Julian Hillas

Captain Goodenough Visits

Rarotonga

THE credit for being the first white man to land on Rarotonga, in the Cook Group, is generally given to the L.M.S. missionary John Williams, to whom the approximate position had been supplied by converts in Aitutaki, 140 miles to the north.

To be strictly accurate, Williams was the third European known to have sighted the island —and the second to make a landing. The first and earliest was McCoy, one of the mutineers on the Bounty. Mention is made of this visit by the native pastor Maretu in his diaries, translated by Dr. Wyatt Gill.

“In that year (1788) there came here a very large ship, but the people did not land. Two canoes went off and bartered some goods, purchasing these with fowls, coconuts, and bananas. Makare (McCoy) was the name of the captain.”

On this ocasion, with characteristic op portunism, the Rarotongans managed to get away with a box containing among other novelties orange and pumpkin seeds, both of which were grown success fully on the island, so that the founda tions of the fruit trade which developed

a century later may really be ascribed to this fleeting visit of the Bounty.

THE second arrival, Goodenough, was a wandering trader. Little is known about him and such meagre information as has filtered down to us hardly re dounds to his credit. To posterity his sole claim for remembrance is that he was undoubtedly the first European to land and spend some time on Rarotonga.

In 1820, Goodenough’s vessel appeared off Ngatangiia and came to anchor in side the reef passage at Vai-kokopu. She must have been a somewhat larger ship than was usually engaged among the Islands, since her crew con sisted of six whites, including Good enough and his mate Stevens, two New Zealand Maoris, a couple of Tahitians, and a brace of blackmoors. There were also four white women on board, bring ing the ship’s company to a total of 16.

Sandalwood was ostensibly their ob ject, but in this they displayed a singular ■ lack of knowledge, and within a few days had set 60 native men on to digging up the nono shrub (Morinda citi'ifolia) under an impression that it was what they sought.

Trouble, however, was soon started by local natives, who encouraged the visi tors to take pigs, coconuts, and women

belonging to neighbouring tribes. In this they were probably actuated by a desire to work off old scores at somebody else’s expense and, in all fairness to Good enough’s men, it is equally probable that they were under the hoary and persis tent fallacy that everything in the South Seas is simply there to be taken away without payment by the first stranger who takes a fancy to it.

Bad feeling was also caused by the native women showing a marked prefer ence for the whites and being in turn carried on board the ship by them, a state of affairs which goes a long way to disprove the early missionaries’ con tention that Europeans were wholly res ponsible for the regrettable absence of morality in these places.

VERETINI, one of the two N.Z. Maoris, distinguished himself by alternately preaching the word of God and. in his more strenuous moments, leading the Ngatangiia people against their heredi tary enemies at Arorangi. In this latter and livelier work he was assisted by the Tahitian, Te Are, and together, on their initial outing, they accounted for four

of the Arorangi men who, being totally unfamiliar with the properties of the musket, had obligingly allowed them selves to be shot at short range.

Meanwhile Tupe, the remaining New Zealander, had been indulging in a some

what more dangerous intrigue. Living ashore with a son of the local chief, he concocted a feasible little plot by which the white members of the crew might all be killed, although for what reason is not known. Unfortunately for his plans, a relation of the chief disclosed the whole scheme to the ship’s officers.

The following morning a party from the vessel entered the village where he was staying and called him by name.

On his appearance outside the house they promptly caught and killed him before returning on board their schooner One would thought that at this stage Goodenough might have come to the conclusion it was time to leave Raro tonga, but neither discretion nor tact seems to have been his strong point.

With an almost insane temerity he now began cutting the nono which g'ew on the great sacred marae near Ngata ngiia. The desecration of their sacrificial and burial ground was in itself sufficient to invite reprisals on the part of the natives. But, apparently not content with what he had already done, Goodenough gave orders that a large store of coco nuts belonging to the chief were to be brought on board the ship.

Vl/’HILST this was being done, Rupe, ** a brother of the outraged chief, pursued the thieves and, overtaking them with their plunder, at Titama, informed them that two of their number would be killed in expiation of their defilement of the marae. Continuing on h’s way. Rupe borrowed an axe from the family which had sheltered the late Tupe and, armed

with this, set out seriously to find vic tims.

Passing through the district of Avana he came upon Veretini seated in the door way of a house. He was very drunk, and two Rarotongan women were busy clean ing his head of lice, a favourite occupa tion with the frailer sex, who, to this day, rather than use a hair comb, prefer the simpler and more lethal method of cracking the insects between their teeth!

Into this domestic picture Rupe the Avenger brought a discordant note. Cal ling Veritini, he waited until the stupi fied man turned to look at him and then struck off his head at a single blow.

Scarcely had he bundled the body back into the house when Stevens, the mate, accompanied by another European, ar rived on the scene. Rupe, taking the latter by surprise, cut him down without resistance. The mate meanwhile made off as fast as his legs could carry him and, reaching the beach a short lap in front of his pursuer, escaped in the ship’s boat.

The natives working on the vessel now became thoroughly alarmed lest they all be killed in revenge, but it must be placed to Goodenough’s credit that no harm befell any of them.

From Ngatangiia, Rupe went on to Matavera, where he found a third Euro pean whom he killed in the same manner as Veretini. At Pouara, he came upon a fourth and served him likewise. The bodies of both these men were subse quently cooked and eaten.

MEWS of this wholesale butchery came to the ears of another native, Moe itiki-oki, who immediately slaughtered the white woman Nati, at that time a guest in his house. By eating the body, he conferred on her the dubious distinc tion of being the first and last white wo man to figure on a local bill of fare.

That evening, the surviving Europeans came ashore in force prepared to fight, but, hearing of their approach, the Nga tangiia and Avarua people fled to the hills where they remained six days, tak ing with them their family gods and more portable property. At the end of this period, the high chiefs descended with peace offerings and, these having been accepted, the customary ceremony of nose-rubbing was gone through, after which the whites returned to the ship, paid off their labour and, with a comple ment reduced from 16 to 10, made pre parations for an immediate departure.

With the sailing of his vessel, Good enough reverted to the obscurity from which he originally came. History knows him not again. Like an echo from the past his solitary note rings once in the great symphony of Time and is heard no more.

Mr. and Mrs. F. Russell and their three sons, Trevor, John, and Phillip, of Nehone, New Caledonia, who arrived by the February Pierre Loti, are at present

spending two months’ holiday in Sydney.

Mr. Russell is an accountant with the American concern which is developing the chrome mine at Nehone.

No German Broadcast

Flat Denial From Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 20.

ACCORDING to press reports, a New Zealander, who has arrived recently in London, has stated in the Daily Herald that British rule is fiercely attacked in broadcasts to the natives of Samoa and New Guinea, emanating from German stations.

This statement is completely without foundations, so far as Samoa is con cerned. No such broadcasts have been received in Samoa.

Apart from this, not a single Samoan native is in possession of a radio receiv ing outfit at the present time —though it is quite possible that the Samoans, with increasing prosperity, will become radio fans in the near future.

Rabaul's Young Chinese

Rabaul, Feb. 10.

TT is interesting to note how progres- A sive the Chinese residents of Rabaul are becoming.

Two Chinese boys, sons of local mer chants, recently left for Melbourne where they will enter Wesley College as hoar ders. It is expected that the two scholars will matriculate and pass on to the Uni versity to graduate into one of the pro fessions.

Both of them are ex-pupils of the Overseas Chinese School, at Rabaul, run by the Methodist Mission, where they received instruction in English and other subjects, which will fit them for life in an Australian school.

Samoa’S Mails

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 21.

A FTER a four months' interval, due to the American shipping strike, the first Matson liner, the Monterey has ar rived at Pago Pago (American Samoa).

The mail communications of Western Samoa with U.S.A. and Europe have been completely cut off for several weeks, and the mails of November, December, Janu ary, and February are floating about somewhere in the Pacific.

"John Bolton" On B.S.I. Reef