Pacific Islands Monthly - 21 February 1938

Mishap

Was Lost For Three Days On Flight To Wau.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Feb. 18.

Miss Barbara Hitchins, The 23-

years-old Sydney flier, was missing for three days on a flight from Ke rema (Papua) to Wau (New Guinea) this week. She was found safe yesterday 60

miles south-west of Madang in the Man dated Territory. Her ’plane was slightly damaged.

In her Gipsy Moth, Miss Hitchins left Kerema, a Government station on the Papuan coast, about 200 miles N.-W. of Pt. Moresby, on Monday, the 14th. The flight should not have taken more than an hour and a half. Wau later reported that she had not arrived there, and no news was received of her from any other centre.

Apparently, Miss Hitchins overshot Wau, her objective, and after travelling to the north was forced down in the Madang area. Many searchers went out, includ ing P.O.D.'s amphibian and Ray Parer’s ’plane. Late yesterday afternoon Pilot G. Cannon, of Guinea Airways, sighted the missing machine. Pilot Jack Todd, of Stephens Airways, landed beside it, and took Miss Hitchins to Madang.

Previous Forced Landing.

Accompanied by Mr. W. Roberts, who has mining interests at Kerema, Miss Hitchins left Sydney for Papua and N.G. on January 21. She arrived at Pt. Mores by on January 27, after an uneventful six-hours’ flight from Cape York.

On February 2, the undercarriage of her ’plane was damaged when she made a forced landing at Vailala River, near Kerema. Miss Hitchins escaped injury.

Miss Barbara Hitchins, on her arrival at Kila Kila aerodrome, Port Moresby.

Nukualofa.

"Matua" Hits Reef At Nukualofa.

WHEN she was entering Nukualofa Harbour, Tonga, on February 9, the Union S.S. Co.’s motor-ship “Ma tua”, struck a submerged reef. The im pact caused damage to the after part of the ship and the propellers.

The exact cause of the mishap is not known, but it is believed to have been due to a ch,ange in the buoys marking the difficult eastern entrance to the har bour.

An inspection of the vessel was made, but the full extent of the damage could not be ascertained. It was apparently not very serious because the Wellington (N.Z.) office of the Union Co. announc ed that the “Matua” would complete her itinerary, visiting Samoa and Fiji before returning to Auckland about February 21.

She will then proceed to Wellington to go into dry dock for survey and repairs.

Built specially for the Central Pacific service, the “Matua” is a twin-screw motor vessel of 4,193 tons. Under Captain A. H. Prosser, she has carried on a ser vice between N.Z., Cook Is., Tonga., Sa moa and Fiji since 1936. She is 355 ft. long with a beam of 50 ft. and a depth of 21 ft., and she has accommodation for 40 passengers.

Search For Mrs. Putnam In

Central Pacific.

Charles C. Putnam, Jr., Of New

York, will shortly leave San Fran cisco leading an expedition which he has organised to search for the Ameri can aviators, Amelia Earhart Putnam and Captain Fred Noonan, who were lost near Howland Island last year. His three-masted schooner will concentrate the search in the Gilbert and Ellice, Union, and Phoenix Groups.

Mr. Putnam is not related to George Palmer Putnam, the aviatrix’s widower, who is convinced that his wife is dead.

Big Shipment Of Fiji Gold.

From Our Own Correspondent,

Suva, Feb. 15.

THE largest consignment of gold yet received from the Tavua field is awaiting shipment for Australia. It comprises 6,232 oz., of which 3,665 oz. is from the Emperor mine, and 2,567 oz. from the Loloma mine.

Made up into 17 bars, the gold was brought to Suva from Tavua under an escort of armed police. At a valuation of £7/10/ (Fiji) per oz., it is worth al most £47,000.

Seeking His Box Of Gold.

Story of Count von Luckner.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Jan. 15.

THE Count and Countess von Luckner on board their yacht “See Teufel” sailed from Papeete on December 4.

Their intention was to visit Moorea, the Leeward Islands and the atoll Mopiha, where the Count’s war raider “See Ad ler” was wrecked.

A story has been passed about Papeete that the Count confided to some dinner

companions his secret purpose in going

to Mopiha.

It is said that, when the “See Adler” was cast upon the reef of Mopiha in 1917, her strong box, full of gold coin, was brought ashore and buried in a sec ret place known only to the Count and some trusted companions. For 20 years, this treasure has been lying- there awaiting its owner,* who now has come to recover it.

Count and Countess von Luckner, near the waterfront in Papeete, Tahiti, examining a gun from the "See Adler”—the famous German raider commanded by Count von Luckner in the Great War. (Photo. by Simpson).

N.G.’s Progress

Administrator's Review at Opening of Legislative Council.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Feb. 15.

OPENING the N.G. Legislative Coun cil on February 10, the President (Sir Walter McNicoll) referred to the progress made in the Territory in the last five years. Revenue, he said, had increased by 57 per cent, to £481,000, ex penditure by 64 per cent, to £460,000, and external trade by 104 per cent, to £3,864,- 039.

During the five years ended June 30 last the white population had increased by 1,515 to 5,881. In the same period the counted native population had increased by 152,463 to 542,394. Indentured labour ers had increased by 13,653 to 40,259.

In the Supplementary Estimates, the Treasurer asked for £ll,OOO more to meet expenditure incurred following the recent eruption, bringing the total sum provided for this purpose to £40,000.

At the beginning of the financial year, the Treasurer said, the surplus for the year was estimated at £40,000. Not withstanding the eruption, this surplus was still expected as the result of in creased revenue, import duty, and the sale of Coronation stamps.

No. 6 Bulolo Ready In March

THE small No. 6 dredge for work on the A area acquired by Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd. from Bulolo Gold Deposits Ltd. near Wau, New Guinea, is almost completed and will commence operations at the end of March.

The erection of this dredge was held up for a time because of a shortage of steel for the fabrication and the non-arrival of machinery from America. No. 6 is a replica of the dredge built by one of B.G.D.’s associate companies in Columbia, South America.

The first Bulolo deep-digger, No. 5 started in December on the Bulolo flats.

It is working at* considerably less than normal capacity, and will continue so for several months until a new driving mo tor is installed. No. 7, similar to No. 5, is now being built.

Nauru Church Being Built

in Melbourne.

A CHURCH thp,t will be shipped in sections to Nauru Island, Central Pacific, is being built in Melbourne to the order of Rev. C. L. Welsh, of the L.M.S., now on leave in Victoria. It will be ready for shipment in the British Phosphate Commission’s vessel “Triona”, sailing at the end of February.

Wood, cement, and fibrous plaster are the main materials. They were bought with £3,000 subscribed by the Nauruans, who will re-erect the church and carry out the cement and plaster work. The building will accommodate 1,000 people.

The church will be cruciform in shape, with a bell tower and cross. It will have a concrete base, raised altar, and choir stalls, over which there will be a Gothic arch. Spotlights will be used to illuminate the choir, altar, and electric organ chamber. All furnishings will be of red wood to resist white ants, which destroyed the old church.

Burns, Philp Trust Co.

New Subsidiary Formed

'T'HE registration was announced on Jan- A uary 27 of the Burns, Philp Trust Company Ltd., with a capital of £50,000 in £1 shares.

This is a new subsidiary of Burns, Philp and Company Ltd., formed to take over the trustee and agency business hitherto handled by the parent company. All the capital (nominally £50,000) is held by Burns, Philp and Company Ltd. The directors of the subsidiary are Messrs.

James Burns, Robert Nosworthy, Lewis Armstrong, and Joseph Mitchell (all of whom are directors of Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd.), and the manager is Mr. C. H.

Chester.

The new company will act as the trustee of an estate, as the executor of a will, as financial agent for any person or firm, and as manager of property and investments.

Its constitution and associations provide a sufficient guarantee of fidelity.

Mr. T. P. Byrne, Collector of Customs at Samarai, Papua, has been transferred to Port Moresby.

The Stevenson Plate At Tautira, Tahiti.

THIS plate was not pre sented by Robert Louis Stevenson (as stated by your Tahiti correspon dent in November), but by his mother, who accompan ied him on his health-seek ing trip to the South Seas in 1888-1889.

During their stay at Tau tira Mrs. Stevenson attend ed a Communion service in the native church. The wine was in two black beer-bottles, the cups were of very common earthen ware, and the bread was baked bread-fruit. Writing to her sister, who was then residing in Scotland, Mrs.

Stevenson said: “The service, apart from these things, was all that one could wish”.

On her return to Scotland she had a set of suitably-engraved silver Communion vessels made, and sent them to the na tive pastor at Tautira. Each article is

marked underneath: “Given by Mrs.

Thomas Stevenson, Edinburgh”.

The vessels are still in regular use, and the present native pastor is always pleased to show them to European visit

ors.

J. D. Mccomish.

New Hebrides.

France Should Not Be Asked To Make Sacrifice.

IN an article which is justified and timely, the “Bulletin du Commerce” of Noumea, New Caledonia, comments upon some of the ridiculous statements which have appeared in Australian newspapers relating to the New Hebrides. Some Australian newspapers —whose lack of knowledge of Pacific Islands affairs is abysmal—have sug gested that Australia should take over the New Hebrides, and that France should be given some sort of compen sation for withdrawal from the Group.

The Noumea newspaper quite pro perly points out that such a proposal is absurd; and it quotes figures to show the dominance of French interests in the Condominium.

It is pointed out that in 1936 the ex ports of the New Hebrides were 10,131,664 francs and the imports 10,056,000 francs. The French section of the imports was worth 7,404,000 francs (of which a very large propor tion were goods purchased from Aus tralia) and the British section, 2,652,000 francs. Of the exports, the English part represented 626,800 francs, while the French part was 9,504,800 francs.

It is pointed out also that in 1936 the total of British shipping which visited the New Hebrides was 38,000 tons, while the French shipping totalled 258,000 tons.

Finally, the “Bulletin du Commerce” points out that the last census shows that the British and their dependants in the Group numbered only 251, while the French and their dependants num bered 1,706.

The newspaper comments: “The im portance of our trade, the number of our colonists, and the condition and value of our plantations are indisput able, and it is inconceivable that the Government of France would consent to sacrifice this happy result of our successful colonisation.”

Editorial Note: Anyone who knows the recent history and present condition of the New Hebrides will agree with the opinion expressed by the Noumea newspaper. Britain cruelly neglected her colonists in the New Hebrides, while France assisted her nationals in every possible way. In the circum stances, it cannot be expected that France will abandon the New Hebrides simply because a few Australian and British people have awakened, in very belated fashion, to the strategic im portance of the Group. It is much more likely that (a) the Group will be divided, the larger and more valuable islands going to France and the smaller and less important islands to Australia; or (b) that Australia will simply take the place of Britain as a partner in the Condominium, and endeavour to build up British settlement in the New Hebrides, in harmonious co-operation with French interests.

Strike At Lautoka.

p. 9

Trouble With Sugar Mill Labourers in Fiji.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 3.

ON January 11, word was received in Suva that a strike of Indian and Fijian labourers had occurred at th,e Lautoka sugar mill. Details were meagre, but on the 13th it was an nounced that the trouble had been set tled.

It appears that a proposed change in the system of paying the labour led to the strike. The custom of the C.S.R.

Co. in the past, when dealing with, Eu ropean and half-caste employees, was to keep one pay in hand, this to be given over at the completion of employment.

Apparently the Co. attempted to apply this system lndian and Fijian la bour who are *paid weekly.

When their week’s pay was withheld, the labourers immediately went on strike.

They organised pickets and such essen tial services as the delivery of milk, meat, etc., had to be carried out by Eu ropeans. The C.S.R. train was taken out by a half-caste engineer, the regular In dian driver being prevented from doing so by his compatriots.

Eventually the Co. acceded to the de mands of the labour—a fact which caus ed considerable comment throughout the Colony, old hands remarking that it was most unlike the C.S.R. to give in on such a matter.

Mr. W. Macarthur King, of the Colon ial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd., Fiji, is at present* spending furlough at Tamworth, N.S.W., with his family.

Rabaul Electricity Ltd.’s interim divi dend at the rate of 3J per cent, for the half-year to December 31 h#s been de clared payable on February 28.

Sydney - New Guinea Air Mail

p. 9

Passenger and Freight Rates for New Weekly Service to Rabaul.

ALTHOUGH Messrs. W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., is ready to begin its new weekly air-mail service be tween Sydney and New Guinea, under Government subsidy, th,e actual date of commencement has not yet been decid ed upon by the Federal authorities.

A survey flight will be undertaken dur ing the first week in March, and the inaugural official flight will be made at the end of March or, more likely, early in April. The service will be maintain ed by Carpenter and Co.’s operating subsidiary, W.R.C. Airlines.

The Company has submitted a sched ule of passenger rates and freight charges to the Commonwealth Govern ment. Final approval has not yet been given, but it is understood the follow ing rates will apply:

The aeroplanes to be used are British De Havilland 86B’s. Two will make al ternate weekly trips, while one will be permanently stationed at Salamaua as an emergency machine. Each will carry a pilot-navigator and a pilot-radioman.

The operating personnel will be: Captain R. O. Mant (Plying Superintendent), of Mandated Airlines in New Guinea, and First-Officer K. G. Jackson, formerly of the R.A.A.F., Laverton (Victoria); and Captain G. J. I. Clark, of Mandated Air lines, and First-Officer B. D. Bates, for merly of the N.S.W. Aero Club.

Each, ’plane’s passenger accommoda tion consists of 10 comfortable lounge chairs, adjustable so that travellers can

either sit upright or recline at ease.

Over the water hops—Cooktown to Pt.

Moresby, and Salamaua to Rabaul —only six passengers will be carried, the ex tra space being needed for additional fuel.

The machines have a capacity for 400 lb. of mail and 200 lb. of cargo. They are fitted with, morse and telephony (speech) sets and carry directional find ing equipment. Their cruising speed is 140 m.p.h., with a maximum of 166 m.p.h.

Fuel load will be 191 gallons, sufficient for 750 miles’ flying.

Timetable And Route.

Every Tuesday, a ’plane will leave Kingsford-Smith Aerodrome, Mascot, Sydney, at 7 a.m. and fly by way of Brisbane and Rockhampton to Towns ville, where the night will be spent. The following morning it will leave for Pt.

Moresby (Papua), arriving at 1.30 p.m. after calls at Cairns and Cooktown, An hour later the flight across th,e ranges to Salamaua (New Guinea) is commenc ed. The final hop to Rabaul will be made the next morning (Thursday), be tween 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

On the return journey, a ’plane will depart from Rabaul every Friday at 1 p.m., reaching Salamaua the same after noon. Pt, Moresby (8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.), Cooktown, Cairns, and Townsville are the stops next day. Then, flying via Rock hampton and Brisbane, Sydney is reacn ed at’ 5.30 p.m., Sunday.

Miss Meg Bunting, eldest daughter of Hon. and Mrs. A. H. Bunting, of Samarai, Papua, was married to Mr. L. Ashton at the Church of England Cathedral, Papua, by Bishop Newton, on February 1. They spent* their honeymoon at Milne Bay, in th,e Eastern Division, and then sailed by the “Macdhui” for New Guinea where they will make their home.

Single And Return Fares.

Port Sala- Moresby. maua.

Rabaul. £ S. d. £ S. d. £ s. d.

Sydney (Single) 30 0 0 35 0 0 35 0 0 „ (Return) 57 0 0 66 10 0 66 10 0 Brisbane (S) 25 0 0 35 0 0 35 0 0 M (R) 47 10 0 66 10 0 66 10 0 Rockhampton (S) 20 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 0 „ (R) 38 0 0 57 0 0 57 0 0 Townsville fS) 15 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 „ (R) 38 10 0 47 10 0 47 10 0 Cairns (S) 12 0 0 22 0 0 22 0 0 ,, (R) 21 16 0 39 18 0 39 18 0 Cooktown (S) 10 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 ,, (R) 19 0 0 38 0 0 38 0 0 Port Moresby (S) — 12 0 0 17 0 0 »» ,, (R) — 24 0 0 34 0 0 Salamaua (S) — — 7 0 0 ,, (R) — — 13 6 0

Freight Charges.

Port Sala- Moresby. maua.

Rabaul.

Sydney, per lb. .. .. 3/3 4/ 4/ minimum .. 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate • ■ 7/ 8/ 8/ B’bane, per lb. . . 2/6 4/ 4/ minimum .. 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate ... 5/ 8/ 8/ Rh’mpt’n per lb. ... 2/ 3/6 3/6 minimum .. 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate . .. 5/ 7/ 7/ T’ville per lb. .. .. 1/6 3/ 3/ minimum ... 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate . 4/6 7/ 7/ Cairns per lb. ... 1/3 2/9 2/9 minimum • 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate • • 4/ 7/ 7/ C’town per lb. ... 1/ 2/6 2/6 minimum .. 5/ 5/ 5/ cub. rate .. 3/ 5/ 5/ Pt. M’by. per lb. — 1/ 1/9 minimum ... — 5/ 5/ cub. rate — 3/ 5/ S.’maua per lb. — — 9d. minimum ... — — 5/ cub. rate .. — — 3/

Capital.

To Select a New Capital.

General Griffiths Appointed Head

of the N.G. Committee.

THE personnel of the Committee ap pointed by the Federal Government to select a site for the new capital of New Guinea consists of: — Brigadier-General T. Griffiths, former ly Administrator of New Guinea (Chair man) ; Mr. C. W. Thomas, loans officer of the Commonwealth Treasury (finance mem ber) ; and Mr. L. Thornton, engineer of the De partment of the Interior (technical member), The Committee sailed from Sydney for Rabaul by the “Nankin” on February 12.

A report will be prepared for presenta tion to the Government at the end of March.

Brigadier-General Thomas Griffiths, C.M.G., C.8.E., D. 5.0., was Administra tor of New Guinea from 1919 to 1921, during th,e military occupation, and again from 1932 to 1934 during the civil administration.

Matupi Again Active.

Passengers from Rabaul who reached Cairns by the “Montoro” on February 12, said that severe “gurias” shook the town on th,e Bth. Three distinct shocks were felt, one of which lasted 50 seconds, causing some alarm. Only minor damage was done.

Matupi volcano, it was reported, was showing renewed activity. It was belch ing dense clouds of sulphurous smoke and steam.

Mr. J. Sharpe, one of the passengers, said that the discovery had been made that the entire town site of Rabaul had sunk one foot.

Japan’s Economic Penetration

of Central Pacific

THE gradual peaceful penetration of Japanese commercial interests in Western Samoa and the Cook Is lands is causing concern in official cir cles in New Zealand.

Newspapers have published figures to show the recent rapid increase of Jap an’s trade with the islands administered by the New Zealand Government. Samoa, for instance, imported goods from Japan worth £895 in 1931; in 1936, the Japanese imports had risen to £17,781. In the Cook Group the figures, on a smaller scale, tell a similar story.

Officially the view appears to be that nothing can be done to combat this ten dency. Western Samoa is administered as a mandate and the N.Z. authorities be lieve that this involves no right to in dulge in discriminatory tariffs.

Nauru Phosphate Industry

Expands.

“rpHE phosphate industry at Nauru and A Ocean Islands continues to ex pand”, said Commander R. C.

Garsia, Administrator at Nauru, Central Pacific, who arrived in New Zealand on February 10 by the British Phosphate Commission’s motor-ship, “Triaster”.

The consumption of phosphate by N.Z. and Australia had risen by several hun dred thousand tons in the last two years, he added. At Nauru, new machinery was installed last* year and further in creases in the plant will be made in the near future so that the demands of Aus tralia and N.Z. could be fully met with out delay.

Mr. and Mrs. Les Brown, of Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., arrived in Sydney from New Guinea by the February “Neptuna”.

P.A. Airways.

Mishaps to "China Clipper" on North Pacific Route.

TWICE in one week, at the end of January, Pan-American Airways’

“China Clipper” on the North Paci fic service was forced back to port.

Carrying a crew of 7, and 8 passengers, the “Clipper” was nearly half-way across the ocean between San Francisco and Honolulu, when it was discovered that mechanism to pump fuel from a wing tank containing 700 gallons was out of order. The fuel was not immediately needed, but was essential for completion of the 2,400 miles flight to Hawaii. Put ting back, the ’plane landed safely at Los Angeles.

The second mishap occurred a few days later when the “Clipper” was for ced back to Honolulu by engine trouble when two hours out on the way to Mid way Island, half-way between Hawaii and China. Sh,e landed without incid ent, with 14 passengers.

There has been no official announce ment yet by P.A. Airways as to when the Co. will resume the South Pacific ser vice to New Zealand, tragically inter rupted by the loss of the “Samoan Clip per” and her crew in January. Suc ceeding Captain E. C. Musick, Captain John H. Tilton, a veteran P.A.A. pilot, has been appointed chief of th,e Pacific Division of Pan-American Airways. He has had long service with the Co., and at present is in command of one of the North Pacific Martin “Clippers”.

A Lucky Escape.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Feb. 1.

A SEDAN car driven by Mr. L. Logan, Headquarters Officer, got out of control when he was driving along the Lower Pr .t Road at Konedobu on January 23. It fell over the embank ment to the beach below, striking a huge boulder and ending up on its side.

Neither Mr. Logan nor his two small children with him in the car were in jured, beyond a few cuts and bruises. The vehicle was badly damaged.

Lived 56 Years In Samoa.

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Jan. 25.

AT the age of 88, Mr. Peter Paul, who had lived in Samoa for 56 years, died in Apia Hospital on New Year’s Day. A German, he was particularly well-liked, and some 500 Europeans and Samoans attended the funeral.

He had been a builder and contractor in Samoa since 1881 and was responsible for many of the buildings around Apia.

Before coming here, he was in Hawaii as an engineer, and later built the first sugar mill in Fiji, in addition to many homes for the pioneer settlers. He con structed several trading posts in Tonga

for the German merchants,

D.H.P.G.

The body of Daniel Condon, 50, of Wau, T.N.G., who wandered into the bush after a serious illness, was found on February 17. The head had been shattered by gun shot.

Tongan Chiefs Visit New Zealand.

After spending two months in Australia, dur ing which they made a tour of New South Wales, Hon Ata (Minister for Lands at Nuku alofa, Tonga) and Hon. Sateki Akauola (Gov ernor of Vavau) sailed for New Zealand by the “Niagara” on February 17. Solomone Biukana, Ata’s young adopted son, remained in Sydney to be educated.

The chiefs intend to visit the Waikato head quarters at Ngaruawahia, and make a formal

presentation of kava to the Maori King. Koroki, and to Princess Te Puea Herangi. They will also visit Rotorua.

Sateki (right) was educated in New Zealand, and served with the Maori Battalion in the Great War. During a visit to the Pacific Is lands Club, Sydney, in February, he renewed acquaintance with Noho Toki, a Maori chief with whom he fought at Gallipoli.

N.G. Administrator's

Knighthood.

Letter to the Editor.

I FEEL that it is,only fair, considering how frankly “Rabaulite” has critic ised the giving of the award of a knighthood to General MlcNicoll, to state that in the view of many people in Rabaul the General unquestionably deserved the award.

True, h,e was not actually here at the time of the eruption, but this he remed ied as soon as possible, flying to Rabaul at once from Lae, although uncertain as to the state of the landing ground in Rabaul.

Once arrived in Rabaul he was faced with the difficult task of “cleaning up” sufficiently for the return of the popu lation, and the restarting of the Rabaul Government offices, a very necessary and essential requirement—a task which had to be accomplished, since it was becom ing more and more fraught with difficul ties to keep the Chinese population at least, out at Kokopo with no means of earning their living. It was due to his firmness and far-sighted policy that Ra baul was so quickly “carrying on”.

I am, etc.,

Another Rabaulite.

Rabaul, 10/1/1938.

Mr. John Trotter, general manager of Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd., at Suva, has been appointed a nominated member of the Fiji Legislative Council in place of Sir Maynard Hedstrom, who resigned recently.

Matson Subsidy.

U.S. Government Slashes Matson Subsidy.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Honolulu, Feb. 9.*

THE U.S. Maritime Commission has announced that the Matson- Oceanic Line, which operates the liners “Monterey” and “Mariposa” in the trans-Pacific service from California, via Hawaii and Suva, to New Zealand and Australia, has been granted a total annual subsidy of 650,000 dollars—a big reduction upon what the Company for merly received. The subsidy may be reduced more, depending upon U.S.

Post Office audits of the service.

Formerly the Company was paid an average annual rate of alrftost 1,000,000 dollars. The Post Office is becoming more practical. It prefers to pay out for actual services rendered, or upon a poundage basis.

With this big reduction in subsidy of their rival’s operations, is it possible to hope that at long last the British in terests will do something '.about re placing the antiquated trans-Pacific hope that at long last the British in- Union liners “Niagara” and “Aorangi”?

Mr. A. B. Ackland, of the Fiji Agri culture Department, arrived in New Zealand on a business trip by the January “Monterey”.

Fiji’S Trade.

1937 Returns Disclose Sound Position,

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 3.

THE remarkably sound position of Fiji’s trade is disclosed in the re turns of exports and imports for 1937. Exports totalled £2,213,657, a rise of £78,230 —due mainly to better returns for sugar and a higher gold output. Imports were £1.760,744, an increase of £258,- 890.

Details (1936 figure given in parenthe sis, for comparison):—

Customs Revenue, 1937.

An increase of £102,754 on the original es timates (£4,294 on the revised estimates) was recorded in Fiji customs revenue for 1937.

The biggest return was Import Duties, £463,- 923 —an increase of £91,923 on the original es timate and £3,563 on the revised. Port and Customs Service Tax returned £32,039. a rise of £9,039 on the original and £739 on the revised estimate. Port and Customs Service Tax brought In £17,792, an increase of £1,792 on the original estimate but a small decrease on the revised estimate.

Totals were: Revenue, £513,754; original es timate, £411,000; increase on original estimate, £102,754. Revised estimate, £509.460; increase on revised estimate, £4,302, less a decrease of £8 in one item leaving a net increase of £4,294.

Exports, 1937.

Quantity.

Sugar .. ., Copra 30,001 tons (34,582) Bananas .. 152,347 cases (150,147) Molasses .. 19,673 tons (22,576) Gold . . . 21,407 oz. (17,107) Trochus 144 tons (185) Value. £ £ Sugar 1,388,681 (1.331.701) Copra .. ..

Bananas ..

Molasses 19,673 (22,576) Gold .. .. 166,115 (131.684) Trochus .. 12,723 (14,305) Other .. ..

Total .. 2,213,657 (2,135,427)

Imports. 1937.

£ £ Value 1,760,744 (1.501,854) Duty 463,923 (418-757) Wharfage 13,717 (12,684) Tonnage Duty 2,934 (3,207)

C.I. Resident Commissioner

Goes To New Zealand.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Jan. 26.

MR. S. J. SMITH, Resident Commis sioner of the Cook Islands, sailed by the last “Matua” for New Zealand, where he will confer with the Govern ment on several important business mat ters relating to the Group.

Since his appointment as R.C., Mr.

Smith has found that he has a full time job. Besides his usual duties as Com missioner and Judge of the High Court, etc., he has supervised the inauguration of the Fruit Control Board. This has meant addressing numerous meetings of native growers, not only on Rarotonga but on all the islands of the Lower Cooks.

His keen interest in the welfare of the natives augurs well for their future hap piness and prosperity.

B.P. Ships.

Complaint About Pre-Embarkation Service.

Letter to the Editor.

PERMIT me space in your journal, to air a Series of grievances relative to the B.P, shipping services.

I advised my intention of travelling from Salamaua (New Guinea) to Sydney and return, well in advance of the scheduled sailing date of the “Neptuna”.

The first annoyance was that the ship de cided to sail from Salamaua four days earlier than advertised —a fact elici ted by me by chance, and of which I was not notifiid. This necessitated a most exasperating rush, to join the steam er, with resultant disorganisation of my working arrangements.

On application to B.P.’s Salamaua branch, I was informed that it would be necessary for me to occupy “steerage ac commodation”, which was endorsed on my first saloon ticket, for which full first saloon fare had been accepted. This accommodation I flatly refused to oc cupy, having viewed the steerage accom modation. which comprised four- and two-birth cabins in the after deck, sad ly lacking in facilities and cleanliness, and, presumably, in use by Asiatics.

I interviewed the ship’s purser, who, whilst commiserating with me in my distress, stated that the matter of inter fering with accommodation held in re serve for other ports, was outside his jurisdiction, without the authority of the Salamaua branch manager being obtain ed. I was put to the annoyance of in terviewing the branch manager and a B.P. inspector, who graciously consented to do their utmost to alleviate my dis tress and perturbation.

Eventually, prior to the hour of sailing, I was allotted a 2-berth cabin, which I oc cupied alone for some few days, despite the fact th#t three friends of mine were in the close confines of a two-berth cabin.

Later I was given a single berth cabin which I held to Sydney.

The service on shipboard was excellent and thoroughly merits the praise be stowed by all passengers, but the exas perations experienced prior to embark

ation tend to leave an ineradicable impres sion, which only time and the untiring solicitude of the ship’s personnel may cause to fade from one’s memory. This state of affairs must be rectified if B.P. hope to continue to attract the class of tourist this ship merits.

I trust the foregoing may bear fruit, and result in better shore administration, with an allotment of space to each port, thus enabling booking clerks to allot staterooms, and numbers of same, in stead of as at present leaving thjs re sponsibility to an overworked purser.

I am, etc.,

James Wright.

Wau, New Guinea.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The above article was shown to the shipping department of Messrs. Bums, Philp and Co. Ltd., Sydney. They explained that on the trip referred to, the “Neptuna’s” cabin accommodation had been allocated between the various ports, and that there were more passen gers wishing to travel to Sydney than there were berths available. B.P. had to get special permis sion from the authorities to carry the extra travellers—mostly school-children returning from their holidays and New Guinea residents on their way south to attend the Sesqui-Oentenary cele brations. The congestion was unavoidable, it was pointed out, because they wished to accommodate all the passengers offering, rather than compel them to await the next steamer.

Another Murnau Film

THE brother of a distinguished German, F. W. Murnau, the film director, who was well-known and beloved in French Oceania, arrived in Australia in February by the “Leuna.” He is Herr Robert Mur nau of Berlin.

Mr. Murnau has been administrator of his brother’s estate since the latter’s death in a motor accident in U.S.A. in 1931. The estate includes property in Europe and America and the tiny island of Anaa, south of the Marquesas, in the Eastern Pacific.

It was on Anaa that Murnau made his magnificent South Seas film “Taboo,” a picture of whose Tahitian girl star, Reri, adorned Mr. Murnau’s cabin in the “Leuna.”

Mr. Murnau said that his brother had made another South Seas travelogue film which had been released to the German Ufa concern three months ago. He ex pected that the new film eventually will be shown in Australian and Pacific Islands centres.

"Zita II" Arrives At Hawaii

Hawaii.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Honolulu, Feb. 4.

RESIDENTS of Pitcairn, Mangareva, th,e Tuamotus, Marquesas, and, fin ally, Tahiti, will be glad to hear that Dr. W. F. Holcomb in the 46 foot stay sail schooner “Zita H.’’, who visited all those islands during 1937, has arrived safely at Hawaii. Leaving San Francis co, in September, 1936, Dr. Holcomb, ac companied by his wife, their two daugh ters, Elizabeth and Iris, and George Over (a University of California sophomore), has covered some 13,000 miles without undue incident.

Before Pitcairn they visited the so called “tragic” isles of Galapagos and met Arthur Wittmer and his family who became emmeshed in the mystery shrouded antics of the sensational Bar oness Eloise Bosquet von Wagner Wehr bom. The latter, a glamorous Viennese noblewoman, set up a strange “Garden of Eden” kingdom on Floriana Island.

The Wittmers were the last to see alive the baroness and her companion, Robert Phillipson, who set sail from Floriana a year or so ago, never to be heard from again. ihe Holcomb party speak highly of 'the generous hospitality which was showered upon them wherever they went in the South Seas.

Violent Earthquake off Coast of Dutch New Guinea

Dutch New Guinea

A SUBMARINE earthquake of great violence convulsed the Arafura Sea near the Aru Islands, off the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, on February 2. It was the most terrific disturbance ever recorded at Riverview Observatory, Sydney—all the instruments were flung completely out of adjustment. Darwin, Northern Australia, was rocked by a ser ies of tremors for 10 minutes, but only minor damage was suffered.

Mr. E. W. P. Chinnery, Director of District Services and Native Affairs in

New Guinea, is at present spending

long leave in Victoria.

"Show Hands!"-Child Welfare Work In Fiji.

EARLY morning inspec tion at a native koro in Fiji: children, with hands extended for exam ination, await the welfare worker. Note the large bottle of castor oil held by the serious-faced young lady at the left!

During the last decade there has been marked improvement in the health of Fijian women and chil dren and in the care of the home. This is due mainly to the work car ried out under the schemes of the Central Executive Council of Child Welfare in Fiji. Women’s Commit tees of four have been formed under the supervis ion of district N.M.P.’s and trained native nurses, and they daily inspect the chil dren for cleanliness and minor ailments.

Tropicalities

p. 13

LAST steamer-call, we managed to

salvage three or four pounds of fresh butter, a luxury when no ice-chest exists ashore. However, by the time it reached the house, after a long trip ashore, its pristine icy firmness had given way to a somewhat oily flow. The lady of the house, therefore, without speaking over-carefully, told a native helper to put it in some cold water.

An attempted reconstruction of his mental processes leads me to suppose that he thought the missus had said that it had been in the water; its liquid

appearance would naturally suggest

that. However that may be, the sequel was both simple and rather devastating.

There was Jimmy, standing guard over

a dreadful oily mass, lying in the strong tropical sun; and before the missus could say a word, with pride he looked up and declared, “I think ’e dry now, missus”. No answer!—P. * * * IT is provided in new ' Fijian legis lation relating to mining that re wards may be made to the original dis coverers of precious metals or precious stones.

It is likely that this will permit of recognition being made to the dis coverers of the Tavua goldfield in Northern Fiji—namely, Mr. William Borthwick and Mr. Pat. Costello. * ♦ • THE appointment of General Tom Grif fiths as head of the committee to select a new site for New Guinea’s admin istrative centre has given much satisfac tion in New Guinea, where he is held in high regard. General Griffiths knows New Guinea well —he was there as military Governor, until 1921, and he was adminis trator between 1932 and 1934, when he re tired—and probably there is no man better qualified to weigh up all the varying ad vantages and disadvantages of the differ ent localities suggested. He will not be influenced by any petty or selfish con sideration—the character of this man gives the New Guinea people an assurance that the selection will be made conscientiously and properly.

Mr. Thomas, the second member of the committee, also knows New Guinea thor oughly especially from the planters’ angle, for he was, for years, in charge of expropriated properties—and he should be of great assistance to General Griffiths. ♦ ♦ ♦ A WRITER on Samoan affairs, in a New Zealand newspaper, offers a new and interesting solution of the Samoan Prob lem:— “The history of Samoa clearly reveals the fact that the Samoans have always been troublesome. There was warfare among them long before the advent of Europeans. There was trouble with them during the international occupation of the islands. There was serious trouble between them and the Germans during German occupation. There has been trouble between them and every New Zealand Government since we occupied the place in 1914. They are troublesome now and they will continue to be trouble

some in the future, and there is, at least, one main reason for it. The Samoans have never had a sound thrashing from any of the powers concerned with them, consequently they have got it into their heads that they are invincible.” * * * THE time was the morning after a par ticularly “bright” New Year’s'party; the place, Suva.

Male voice on telephone: “Hello”.

Answering voice: “Hello”.

Male voice: “How are you this morn ing?”

Answering voice: “All right, thank you”.

Male voice: “Sorry, wrong number!” « * * 'T'HE following letter, by Mr. E. H. Hum- A phreys, was published in the Brisbane “Courier Mail,” in January:— “I have read with interest from time to time of the soul-stirring anxiety of the Commonwealth Government for its officials at Rabaul.

“Since the earthquake, and particularly since the report of the expert was received, we have repeatedly been told that the seat of government must be moved. Apparently the remainder of the population may go hang. They have very definitely been told that they can expect no help.

They can move, at their own expense, or stay and be blown up or ruined by loss of business.

“The idea that a government should be expected to go to the expense of saving its mere colonist citizens from ruin or destruction appears to be quite outside the mental capacity of Canberra.

No expense, however, will be spared in looking after the safety of its officials.

“Probably this is so typical that no one has thought to comment on it yet.”

The letter is unnecessarily and unreas onably bitter. The government must ac cept the report of the experts it appointed to advise them, and remove the adminis trative personnel from the danger-zone.

The officials will go because they are told to do so, and the removal will be made at the Government’s cost. The rest of the community, which followed the Adminis tration to Rabaul, in hope of profit in one

shape or another, is free to go or stay, in accordance with ordinary budgetary con siderations. Nevertheless, it does seem hard that all the people who invested in plantations and businesses in the Rabaul district should be heavily penalised, and perhaps ruined, simply because Vulcan chose to blow up on May 28, 1937. In the circumstances, a Government grant, to aid the transport of the non-official com munity to the new site, woud find wide support. * * * rIE fact that the Cook Islanders are now increasing in numbers was quoted by the Resident Commissioner (Mr. S. J.

Smith) in an Auckland interview, and he said that “no greater tribute could be paid to New Zealand’s administration of the Cook Islands.” Hyperbole! New Zealand has an excellent record in the Cook Islands, thanks to her luck in finding some capable administrators: but there is nothing extraordinary in the census position. Practically every branch of the Polynesian race—Samoan. Maori, Tongan, Tahiti —as well as Cook Islanders, having rallied after the first disastrous impact of European “civilisation”, is now increasing steadily in numbers.

The honour of being elected the first ‘honorary members of the Anthropo ogical Society of New South Wales has been accorded Mr. F. E. Williams, Government Anthropologist, Port Moresby, and Mr. Leo Austin, resident magistrate at Daru, in the western division of Papua.

Mr. A. S. Farebrother, of Suva, Fiji, recently presented a window, “The Dove of Peace” to St. Matthew’s Church, Manly, New South Wales, in memory of his mother. It was dedicated by the Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Mowll) on February 20.

Miss Mavis Father, of Gona, Papua, who has been in Australia spending furlough at Baan Baa, N.S.W., with her parents, returned to the Territory by the last “Macdhui”. She is a worker for the Australian Board of Missions.

About Islands People

pp. 14-15

Mr. F. L. S. Bell, M.A., who, some years ago, carried out research work in New Guinea, has succeeded Mr. Eric Ramsden as president of the Anthro pological Society of New South Wales.

Mr. Ramsden, who is engaged on an other book, did not see re-election.

Avenai Salabiau, a Fijian Catechist, together with his wife and three children, sailed from Sydney by the “Macdhui” on February 2 for Papua, where he will carry on mission work for the Methodist Mission.

Hon. G. H. Murray, M.L.C., Director of Agriculture in New Guinea, left Sydney for Rabaul on February 12 after spending vacation in Australia. He was accompanied by Mrs. Murray.

Rev. and Mrs. H. Johnstone, of the Methodist Mission, Ba, Fiji, received many congratulations recently on the birth of a son, Peter.

Mrs. Fritz Schober, of Nukualofa, Tonga, who has spent the past year in Sydney, will return to the Friendly Islands by cargo steamer in March.

Her son, Bernhard, will remain at school in Sydney.

Mr. Jack Marshall, author of “Black Musketeers’’ and other books, will address members of the Pacific Islands Club at the Hotel Carlton, Sydney, on march 2. Mr. Marshall, who has just returned from Oxford University, has carried out ornithological work at various times in the New Hebrides and New Guinea.

Mr. R. W. Robson, F.R.G.S., Editor of the “Pacific Islands Monthly”, sailed from Sydney for Auckland by the “Awatea” on January 29 to spend a month’s vacation in New Zealand.

Miss Phoebe Mills, of Queensland, is at present undergoing training at the George Brown Institution, Sydney, prior to taking up an appointment as teacher at the Methodist Mission’s Ballantine Memorial School, Fiji.

Dr. Margaret Mead (now Mrs. Gre gory Bateson), who is well-known in t~e Pacific for her studies of adolescent girls in Samoa and in New Guinea, is now on the island of Bali, Dutch East Indies, with her husband, and will prob ably visit Sydney later in the year. Dr.

Mead is attached to the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and is a noted American anthropologist.

Nurse Talbot, of Christchurch, N.Z., passed through Sydney early in Feb ruary, en route to Malaita, 8.5.1., where she will shortly take up duties at the Melanesian Mission’s Hospital.

Dr. A. J. Borg, of the Fiji Govern ment Medical Service, returned from leave by the “Aorangi” late in January.

Sister Veronica, of the Melanesian Mission, left Sydney for Bunana, 8.5.1., by the “Malaita” on February 5. She has been a member of the Community of the Cross since 1930, Sister Veronica spent her furlough in New Zealand.

Mr. L. A. Lawlor, of Suva, arrived in Sydney from Fiji by the “Monterey” on January 24.

Mr. A. L. Lewis, airport manager in Auckland, New Zealand, for Pan- American Airways, has been recalled to headquarters at Alameda, California.

The transfer is understood to be a tem porary one and, although another offi cer will be sent from U.S.A. to replace him, it is expected that Mr. Lewis will later return to N.Z. as manager.

Mr. R. L. Clark, unofficial member of the Legislative Council of New Guinea, left? for Rabaul by the “Nankin” on Feb ruary 12.

Rev. R. C. G. Page, of the Methodist Mission, returned to Nukualofa, Tonga, by the February “Matua”, after furlough in New Zealand.

Mrs. W. B. Mackay, who has made her home in Fiji for the past seven years, ar rived in Sydney from Suva by the “Niag ara” on February 12 to spend a long holi day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.

E, Basingthwaigte, of Cootamundra,

N.S.W.

Mr. Hakon Mielche, Danish artist with the “Monsunen” Expedition (wrecked in the Solomon Islands in 1934), has been in war-torn Spain, acting as correspond ent for Copenhagen newspapers. In

January, he went to the United States — probably en route to China. He sends greetings to Islands friends, and this charming Christmas study of one of his two children.

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Ede, of Eastern Papua, arrived in Sydney with their fam ily by th,e January “Macdhui”. Mr. Ede is a well-known planter at Glau, Woodlark Island.

Yen. Archdeacon H. Mayo Harris, of Suva, who has been on a visit to England, returned td Fiji by the “Aorangi” on January 28.

Mr. George William Newland, of Ouaneco, Cape Goulvain, New Caledonia, died on January 21, at the age of 85.

Mr. Frederick Smith, son of th,e late Captain J. Smith, and Miss Zillah Whit combe, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

F. S. Whitcombe, were married at Levuka, Fiji, on January 15 by Rev. D. Boorman, of the Methodist Mission.

Mr. J. Trivett, of Lautoka, Fiji, who is a chemist? in the employ of the Col onial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd., arrived in Sydney from Suva by the “Niagara”

® February 12. He was accompanied Mr. G. A. Flack, who is associated with the Norfolk Island passion-fruit canning industry, departed from Sydney for NX by the “Morinda” on February 3.

Mr. J. E. Salzmann, who has just joined the staff of the New Guinea Mislor February 25 P Montoro 0,1 Mr. A. Bonamy, accountant at Lautoka for the C.S.R. Co. Ltd., arrived in Sydney with Mrs. Bonamy by the February “Niagara”.

Papuan Bishop Attends

p. 15

Mission Congress.

A PARTY of missionaries led by the A Vicar Apostolic of Papuasia (Bishop A. M. Guynot de Boismenu) ® rn X ed , ln i S J, d , ne L f -° in. “ ore s b ? by the last Macdhui . They attended the Eucharistic Mission Congress at Newcastle (N.S.W.) on February 16.

The delegation comprised Rev. Fathers Gabriel Moyon and Francis Lyons and Brother C. Hilaire (Papua), and Rev. atb « rs V ,ocat and M Claret and Brother Engelhart (Gilbert and Ellice Islands)—all members of the Order of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Group Of Well-Known People At Wau.

p. 16

THIS photograph has par ticular interest because it includes the only available picture of Mr.

James Stewart, well-known as a business man and miner in Wau, New Guinea, who was killed in a motor ac cident in November. Left to right: Mr. Prank Fraser, late Mr. James Stewart, Mrs. J.

Spence, Mr. Orme Denny (famous aeroplane pilot) and Mrs. McKenzie.

Rare Fish Poisons C.I.

p. 16

Girl.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Jan. 9.

IT must be a million to one chance of being stung to death by the poisonous fish “Nou”. Pretty Vaine Taero, aged 15, died on the sth from such a cause.

The “Nou” buries itself in the sands of the lagoon: if one steps on it, sharp spikes penetrate the foot and inject poison which causes the victim intense agony.

It is fortunate that the “Nou” is a rare fish, and is so seldom seen.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The Cook Islands “Nou” fish is the same as the “Nohu’’ in Tahiti. The latter is a squat, ugly, mottled creature, with a large, upturned mouth, and the faculty of changing colour like a chameleon so as to har monise itself with the surroundings. It is armed with a row of graduated spikes along the dorsal fin, each of which is connected with a poison sac. Sluggish in its habits, it will

not move from its resting place in the sandy bottom of a lagoon until trodden on b$ the foot of an unwary bather or disturbed by some other cause. The poison is rapid in its action, and the puncture is quickly followed by agonising pain, accompanied by inflammation and a high fever. Natives have their own rem edies for “Nohu” wounds but the best way to treat the wound is exactly in the same man ner as one would deal with a snakebite.

Mr. R. J. Woodbridge, Collector of Customs at Vavau, Tonga, left Auck land, by the “Matua” on February 1, after furlough in New Zealand.

Norfolk

Island’S Trade

Imports.

Prom Prom Australia. Pacific Is.

December, 1936 .. .. £4,114 .. £7 December, 1937 .. .. £3,953 .. — Exports.

To To

Australia. Pacific Is.

December, 1936 .. .. £284 .. £63 December, 1937 .. .. £400 .. £11

New Offices

p. 17

For Fiji Government Departments.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 9.

GOOD progress is being made with the erection of new Government build ings in Suva. Although the work has been in progress only a year, the job is already becoming a landmark in Suva, and is growing apace. Situated alongside Albert Park, the buildings will make a handsome addition to the town, replac ing an unsightly slum.

The main entrance portico, is facing Albert Park, and this is almost comple ted. Above this will rise a tower, carry ing a clock. The ground floor will be entirely given over to garages, record rooms, and strong rooms, save one room specially arranged for lighting, for the use of the draughting staff of the Lands Dept. The front portico opens on to the first floor, into an octagonal entrance hall, beneath the tower. At the rear of this is situated the Legislative Council Chamber. To the right, are the offices of the Lands and Survey Dept., and the Indian Affairs Dept., while to the left is the Treasury office.

On the second floor, the Colonial Sec retary’s offices are to the right of the lift, and on the left are the Public Works Dept., Medical Dept., and Native Affairs Dept. Other departments are to the rear of the building. A wing facing Vic toria Parade will be known as the legal block. Here will be the Supreme Court, Police Court, and offices of the various officials of the Judicial and Legal Dept., Law Library, etc.

A feature of the buildings, which are of concrete construction, is their cool ness, a big factor in a tropical climate.

Ornamental friezes for decorative work are being manufactured on the site, as were all the concrete piles used in the foundations.

It is anticipated that the job will be completed by June, 1939. There were delays in the early stages, awaiting ar rival of machinery; however, it is all on the site now and working at high pressure. The architect in charge (Mr.

W. F. Hedges) has expressed himself as very satisfied with the progress.

February “Mariposa”.

p. 17

Awarded Coveted King's

Police Medal.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Feb. 5.

FOR having served over 20 years in the N.G. Native Constabulary, Sergeant-Major Naduba, of Kavieng, was awarded the coveted King’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours. Only 30 of these awards are made each year to police officers and men throughout the whole of the Empire.

This is the second decoration won by Naduba. When he was a corporal he received the New Guinea Police Valour Badge for conspicuous bravery in cap turing single-handed a convict murderer who was armed with a knife.

Mrs. Beatrix King, at one time of Apia, Samoa, who has been the guest of Dr. Peter and Mrs. Buck, at Honolulu, Hawaii, returned to Sydney by the

February “Mariposa”.

"Talkies" For Makogai

p. 18

Leper Station.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 7.

AS the result of a public appeal sponsored by the Rotary Club of Suva, the Makogai Leper station will soon be equipped with an up-to-date “talkie” plant. The appeal met with a ready response—£l,o4l being received.

Of this, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa con tributed £726, while the N.Z. Rotary Clubs gave £315.

The American 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation will donate a regular sup ply of film programmes for Makogai, while the Union Steam Ship Co. will carry films for the leper station free of charge from Australia or New Zealand.

Recently Mr. W. J. Hutchinson, Foreign Manager for 20th Century-Fox Films, passed through Fiji, and in U.S.A. he interested Mr. Alfred P.

Sloan, jr., Chairman of the Board of General Motors Corporation, in the leper settlement. The result has been that Mr. Sloan and General Motors have jointly given a Chevrolet seven pas senger station wagon for the use of the nursing sisters on Makogai.

Strange Freak Of Nature.

p. 18

THE seven coconut trees shown in this photograph are growing in front of the Government Offices at Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. They are said to have grown from a single coconut with seven sprouts, found on one of the outlying islands of the Cook Group and sent as a present to the Administrator at Rarotonga.

Having seen many thousands of coco nuts, none of which produced more than one sprout, I could not believe that seven trees could grow from one coconut. How ever, on discussing the matter with the late Dr. Gerrit P. Wilder, of the botani cal staff of the Bishop Museum (Hono lulu) who had seen the seven trees at Avarua and examined them, he said that he was prepared to accept the statement that they had grown from one nut, as he had seen one coconut with four sprouts and several with two or three sprouts.

J. D. Mccomish.

Inland New Guinea—"The

p. 18

Promised Land."

“rpHE promised land” was the description X of the vast, fertile plateaux in Central New Guinea given to members of the Legacy Club, Melbourne, by Mr. E. W. P.

Chinnery, Government Anthropologist in the Mandated Territory, in an address on February 1.

These huge plateaux, at more than 5.000 ft. above sea level, were inhabited by a very high type of native who cultivated the land and raised stock, he said. The country was dotted with beautifully laid out gardens, which were remarkable because the natives had never been in contact with civilisation.

The discovery of this land, which promised to be one of the great centres for tropical economics, had created a problem for Australia, because it was her duty to develop it, Mr. Chinnery add ed.

Official quotation has been granted by the Melbourne Stock Exchange to 80,000 ordinary shares of 20/-, fully paid, and 80.000 7 per cent, cumulative participat ing preference shares of 20/-, fully paid, in Guinea Airways Ltd.

Tahiti Schooner

p. 19

Wrecked.

In Treacherous Tuamotus Pass.

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Jan. 8.

THE Government schooner “Mouette” was wrecked at Amanu, one of the islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago in December.

The passage into the lagoon at Amanu is narrow and dangerous. For nine hours each day a strong current rushes through it as the high tide of the open sea rises above the level of the lagoon. At low tide this current is reversed as the piled up waters in the lagoon drain into the surrounding ocean.

The “Mouette”, carrying the Adminis trator of the Tuamotus (Monsieur Senac) and Doctor Massal on a tour of inspec tion, entered the pass at the time the out flowing current was at its maximum. Her engine is said to have failed at the moment of the schooner’s arrival at the most perilous point in the pass, and the current, laying hold of her, cast her broadside on the edge of the reef. The “Mouette” immediately sent out an S.O.S. call which was picked up by the Marquesas Islands radio station and thence relayed to Papeete.

The schooner “Denys” (Captain Alex ander Mervin) had left Amanu the night before and was at Hao, nine miles away, when the broadcast from Papeete an nouncing the mishap to the “Mouette” was heard. Captain Mervin immediately sailed to Amanu, arriving there late at night. Entering the pass, he could see no sign of the “Mouette”, and it was not until he arrived at the settlement

that he found out what had happened.

It appears that at the turn of the tide the inrushing current had lifted the “Mouette” from the reef and carried her into the lagoon. Her hull had been badly damaged and, as she floated, she filled rapidly and sank in the calm waters within the reef—3o metres below the surface. The ship’s company were res cued and cared for by the natives.

Captain Mervin offered to carry them to Papeete. Meanwhile, word came that the authorities at Tahiti had despatched the schooner “Tamara” and, as there was no radio-transmitting apparatus at Am anu to notify Papeete that the “Denys” was there, the “Mouette” passengers felt obliged to await the coming of the “Ta mara”.

Amanu is a large atoll shaped like a vast bow. It is, without doubt, the “Sagittaria” of the Spaniard Quiros, who passed through the Tuamotu Archipelago in 1606. Quiros’ description of his land ing on an island he named “Sagittaria” once led historians to believe that his ac tual landing place was the isthmus of Taravao on Tahiti; but that has since been disproved. The form of Amanu would suggest to a discoverer the name “Sagittaria” and probably Quiros was so influenced. 3,000 Books for Islands.

ABOUT 3,000 books, comprising novels and general literature, are to be cir culated through Australia’s Islands territories as a result of a grant of £625 a year for three years made by the American Carnegie Foundation. The books were being packed in Canberra in February, under the supervision of the Commonwealth Librarian (Mr. Binns) and will be shipped at the end of the month.

Tonga Saw P.A.A.'S

pp. 19-20

"Samoa Clipper."

From Our Own Correspondent.

Nukualofa, Jan. 7.

PAN-AMERICAN Airways “Samoa Clipper”, on her second survey trip from Pago Pago to N.Z., was sighted at Tongatabu on both her outward and re turn trips.

On the return, she flew right across Nukualofa. On account of losing touch with Pago Pago radio station, she con tacted with the station here, which kept on tapping her from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., when she again got into touch with American Samoa. As the day was calm and clear, the “Clipper” presented a beautiful sight as she floated majes tically above our town.

Mr. T. L. Me Adam, District Officer at Kokopo, New Britain, returned to the Mandated Territory by the February “Macdhui” after furlough in Sydney.

Rossel Island Financiers.

pp. 20-21

Primitive Bill-Brokers of Complicated Monetary System in Papua.

By Mollie Lett.

IN far-away Rossel Island, the most remote and eastern of the Louisiade Group, South-Eastern Papua, where the mountain-tops are forever shrouded in clouds and misty rain, and the legends of the gloomy inhabitants point to some mysterious and long past invasion, a curious currency exists, consisting of shell money, of two kinds, known as the nDap and the nKo. They are used as real coins, and for no other purpose.

The inhabitants assert that these coins were made in the dim past, by their su preme deity, Wanajo, a snake god, who created their island from the coral beds and reefs, and who still lives as a snake on the heights of Mt. Rossel, a thickly wooded mountain some 3,000 feet in height, known to the natives as Ngwo.

The shell discs, or coins, are worn down, indicating great age, and the shell from which they are made does not now exist

on the island. Any additions that have been made to their number from time to time are looked upon as imitations, and therefore have little value.

The nDap coins, of which there are 22 values, each with separate names, are made from a species of Spondylus shell, ground down and polished, and perforated in one corner. Their value is regulated according to colour, which ranges from creamy yellow to orange and red. Each value is related to the other by the rate of interest and the length of time for which a loan is made, and not, as with other money, as simple multiples of the lowest value.

There are 16 values of nKo, and each consists of a set of 10 discs, roughly shaped and perforated, and strung to gether. They apparently were made long ago from a giant clam. The values of these sets are regulated by the size of the discs, and, as with the nDap, are re lated to one another by the conditions of loans.

The system has many complications, every article of commerce and every por tion of labour having a set price regula ted by custom. As the number of coins is limited, it is often necessary for a na tive requiring a particular coin to be for ced to borrow, even though he possesses others of a higher value. There is a con stant demand for particular coins to meet various situations and, in conse quence, many of the more wealthy na tives devote themselves to the business of financing obligations, at a profit.

These are professional financiers and bill-brokers, known as Ndeb, who, by borrowing at a lower rate and discounting at a higher, acquire substantial wealth.

Many have been known to become chiefs by their accumulated possessions. These men often resort to magic in order to con fuse the issue while transacting nego tiations, thus acting on the minds of their clients to their own advantage.

Chiefs and the ruling class alone han dle the highest coins of both nDap and nKo, though a commoner must repay his debts to chiefs in these values. These he must borrow, and only with security, so it can be seen that a wily and acquisi tive chief can do much, with his capital.

A great deal of ceremony, feasting and dancing is connected with transactions in volving the payments of the highest val ues of nDap, from No. 18 to 22, the first bride price being No. 18, Tyomundi. Be fore European occupation and, later, un til the practice was condemned, both No. 21 and 22, Pwojuma and Kwojuma, were payments made to murderers for vic tims or sacrifices for the mortuary feasts, held on the death of chiefs. Some chiefs were known to have had three and even four victims at their burial, mostly young boys or girls, or men without influence.

These were killed and eaten at the “sit ting down places”, known as Jabbega, made of flat stones in more or less cir cular formation, still to be seen on the island.

It can be realised that many natives have at times involved themselves in fin ancial difficulties, as the amount of in terest depended on the anticipated time of a loan. Some, compelled to borrow and borrow again, in higher and yet higher

values, in an endeavour to clear their debt, have been faced at last by the necessity of approaching a chief for a high coin, which he could obtain only by offering security, such as a ceremonial axe. This again could only be acquired by service and various obligations.

The origin of these coins, and of the system connected with them, is lost in the mists of time.

There are many features in the Rossel Island customs which are said to suggest Polynesian influence, and many natives on the island believe that they origin

ally came from an island far away to the east. It is evident that at some remote period Rossel was visited by super ior people who introduced, among other customs, this monetary system and very likely the coins, or those which the pre sent ones resemble.

Mr. D. G. Irvine, manager of Giligili

Plantation, Milne Bay, Eastern Papua,

arrived in Australia at the end of Jan uary on furlough. He was accompanied by Mrs. Irvine.

Jabbega, or a “sitting down" place, on Ros sel Islandscene of the old-time mor tuary feasts.

It was made of flat stones in circular forma tion.

Tongan Trader's Death

p. 21

In Fiji.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 5.

A PIONEER trader of Haapai, Tonga, Mr. Gerald Batty, died in Suva Colonial War Memorial Hospital on January 24. He was on his way to Auckland, New Zealand, on board the “Matua” when he took ill a few days before the vessel reached here on her last trip. Taken to hospital, he lapsed into unconsciousness and died five days later.

An Englishman, he had been in Tonga for many years as partner in the trading firm of Batty and Wall. The partner ship was well-known in Central Pacific until it was dissolved several years ago.

Mr. Batty was over 60 years of age.

Though there are few folk left in Suva who knew Mr. Batty, his funeral, presided over by the Bishop of Polynesia (Rt. Rev. Kempthorne) was attended by a number of business men, including Mr. W. E. Hancock and Mr.

Parry (Union S.S. Co.), Mr. J. Trotter (Burns Philp S.S. Co.), and Mr. Malcolm Brodie (Pacific Biscuits, Ltd.).

Threat of Whale Oil

Depresses Copra Market.

THE copra market, in spite, of reported active buying by Germany, has con tinued to be depressed during the month. The London quotations in early February, showing that the price had dropped below £l2 per ton, were greet ed pessimistically in the South Seas where planters were beginning to delude themselves that the era of calamitous copra prices had gone for good.

The only worth-while explanation that observers give is that the market is sluggish under the threat of a flood of whale oil from the European, American and Japanese fleets now operating in the Antarctic. The experts offer no ray of h,ope for an immediate recovery of the market, and it is almost axiomatic that Pacific Islands copra-producers should prepare themselves for a further period of lean prices.

London Report.

In their January bulletin, Messrs. H.

M. P. Faure and Co., London, report:— “In oils and oilseeds, there has been a good deal of activity. Soya-bean oil, which after pressure from the East de clined to £l7/5/, recovered 15/- to £1 per ton on active buying. At this point the East was again exerting pressure and. at time of writing, prices are again slow ly giving way. A good business has been reported in soya-beans to Germany.

Substantial quantities of groundnuts have also been sold to consumption, whilst cotton seed has enjoyed a good, steady demand. Although linseed oil advanced over £1 per ton in sympathy with lin seed and the firm Argentine markets, consumers are viewing the advance with

suspicion and are adopting a policy of reserve.

“The cotton oil consumption in the U.S.A. during December was somewhat disappointing at 358,328 barrels, com pared with 435,386 barrels in November, and 338,861 barrels in December, 1936.

“Stocks of lard on December 31 were 25,538 short tons compared with 16,987 short tons on November 30, and 72,761 short tons a year ago.

“Whale oil will require close attention during the next few months as at this time of the year it has an important bearing on the entire oil and oilseed markets. As is known, there are 31 float ing factories operating this season with 257 catchers, against 30 and 195 respec tively, last season. Four Japanese expe ditions were despatched to the fishing grounds as early as the end of Septem ber. It is too early as yet to form any opinion as to the progress which is be ing made, but the few catch reports to hand so far seem to indicate satisfac tory results”.

A Royal Party.

Papeete, Jan. 10.

A RECENT notable social event was the delightful housewarming party given by Princess Pomateao at her recently completed residence at Tua’a in the dis : trict of Fa’aa, Tahiti, on December 25. His Excellency, the Governor and Madame De Gery were guests of honour.

The Tahitian dancing and singing, per formed by natives engaged for the occa sion, were particularly interesting to the large assembly of guests. Present were members of the Royal Family, many offi cials of the Administration and their ladies, and representatives of the leading Tahitian and European families.

In The "Early Days"

Old-timers on the Morobe goldfield will recog nise many of these New Guinea miners; they comprised the congregation of the first church service at Edie Creek, 1930, held by Padre F.

Bishop. The congregation sat upon the log in the foreground for the service.

Pacific Cable Repaired.