Pacific Islands Monthly - 15 July 1939

The Newspaper-Magazine of the South Seas

IRegistered at the G.P.0., Sydney, for transmission Toy post as a newspaper .] Published Once Each Month and Circulated in Australia and New Zealand and in the following Pacific Territories and Islands Groups:

Crown Colony of Fiji.

Australian Territory of Papua.

Mandated Territory (Australia) of New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago and Northern Solomon Islands.

Australian Territory of Norfolk Island.

Mandated Territory (New Zealand) of Samoa.

British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

British Protectorate of Tongan Islands.

New Zealand Territory of Cook Islands, Mandated Territory of Nauru.

British Crown Colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

British and French Condominium of New Hebrides.

French Territory of New Caledonia.

French Colony of Oceania (Tahiti, etc.).

American Territory of Eastern Samoa.

American Territory of Hawaiian Islands.

American Territory of Guam.

Mandated Territory (Japan) of Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands.

Owned and Produced by Pacific Publications Pty. Ltd., Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney.

Vol. IX. No. 12.

July 15, 1939.

PricP Bd ' Per Copy ’ mce Prepaid: 8/- p.a.

Anxious Humanity Awaits a Lead from the United

States

ON March 15, Hitler broke his promise and seized Czecho-Slovakia. Italy, not to be outdone, annexed Albania.

Within a few weeks, Britain, France, Poland and Turkey, all “good fighting nations”, had formed an alliance to re sist any further Axis aggression. Rou mania, Greece, Belgium and Portugal supported them. Britain and France in vited Russia to join the Anti-Aggression Pact. Russia temporised—and still is back ing and filling.

Germany, preparing to rush on east wards, over Poland, and south-east, into the Balkans and the Ukraine, paused.

Two million mobilised troops, in Germany and Italy, still are marching and counter marching, goose-stepping and Heiling Hitler; but they know, now, that if they try to grab any more independent nations, the democracies will fight.

Britain, France, Poland and Turkey could hold, and probably thrash, Ger many and Italy; but they would have neither time nor energy to spare for any campaign outside Europe.

Thus, there enters the picture Japan, unofficial partner in the Axis. Axis dinlo mats have persuaded Japan that if ‘she can eject Britain from the China coast, she yet can save herself from the military and economic disaster with which she is threatened in the Sino-Japanese War.

Japanese military chiefs, conceited and insolent people, have taken control of their Government, and deliberately are harassing and insulting Britain, trying to provoke war.

The plot is easy to read. If Britain avoids the Japanese challenge, she “loses face” in Asia, and then may be driven out of China. If she fights Japan, she will be so busy in Asia and the Pacific that she will not be able to maintain the Anti- Aggression Pact, and Germany and Italy then can get on with their plan of domin ating Europe. Either way, Britain may be weakened and so there may be brought nearer the day for which Germans, Italians and Japanese constantly pray— the day when they can dismember and loot the British Empire.

Britain is handling the situation with great skill. While patiently avoiding war, she is rapidly building up her armed strength—and waiting. Time is on the side

of the democracies. Hitler. Mussolini and the Japanese military clique—especially the latter —are gambling. The situation, from Britain’s viewpoint, cannot get worse; and it may soon get better.

If Japan advances far in Asia, she must fight Russia. If she would extend her dominions jn the Pacific, she must be challenged by the United States. She apparently hopes that if she can engage Britain in war, Germany can take care of Russia, and that America will remain neutral. This is gambling, indeed.

Britain and Russia yet may become al lied against the Axis group; but it appears increasingly unlikely. Russia hates Britain, “imperialist and capitalistic”, and hopes that Britain yet may weaken herself (and save Russia!) by undertaking the inevit able war with Japan. The British people— except the “long-haired Eden-Churchill group”—for their part are reluctant to ally themselves with “the bloody Reds of Moscow”. They would rather draw closer to Germany. In any event, the military value of the Russians can be over-esti mated. In a general war, the Germans probably would “clean them up” just as quickly as the French would “clean up” the Italians.

The key to the Pacific situation, and therefore to the world situation, is held by America. If the United States only would join with Britain in declaring for the maintenance of the status quo in the Pacific, and for the freedom of demo cratic institutions in the world, the threat of general war (and, with it, the almost certain destruction of civilisation as we know it to-day) would depart overnight.

The conclusion is inescapable that the democratic world, tortured by anxiety, is waiting for something—and that some thing is a definite lead by the United States.

Bishop Wolf, of the Catholic Mission at Alexishafen, New Guinea, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his consecration to the Episcopacy in June. Bishop Vesters, of the Vunapope mission, and Bishop Wade, of the North Solomon Islands, at tended the celebrations. The new Christ the King's cathedral erected by Bishop Wolf was consecrated at the same time.

M.V. “Tulagi”

New B.P. Freighter Enters Central Pacific Service

THE new motor-vessel “Tulagi”, which has just been built for Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd., in Hong Kong, is ex pected to reach Sydney, ready to begin service, at the end of July. She will sail, at an early date, for Fiji.

The “Tulagi” will run regularly (about every three months) between Sydney and North American ports, via Fiji and Tonga, and calling at various Central Pacific is lands, such as Washington, Christmas, etc., where copra may be picked up. She is a handsome ship, of the same attractive design, and about the same size, as the B.P. motor-vessel “Malaita”, now in the Solomons service. She has a small draught, to allow her to work small ports and shallow anchorages. She will call regularly at Western American ports, in cluding Mexico and North-west Canada.

The “Tulagi” has comfortable accom modation for 12 passengers.

Another New Governor

for N. Caledonia

A FEW weeks ago, it was announced that M. Desanti would succeed M.

Jore as Governor of New Caledonia.

On May 10, it was decreed that, in stead of M. Desanti. M. Pages would re ceive the position.

On June 17, this was cancelled, and M. Barthes (Chief Inspector in the Col onial Ministry) was appointed.

M. Barthes is due in Sydney, by the air service, on July 31, and should be in Noumea on August 7.

These extraordinary manoeuvres have not been explained. M. Barthes will be New Caledonia’s 24th Governor since 1897. The ‘'Bulletin du Commerce” calls it “the Waltz of the Governors”.

High Chief Malietoa Tanumafili, 0.8. E., head of one of the royal families of Western Samoa, and held universally in high esteem, died suddenly in Apia on July 9, aged 59.

Dr. Peter H. Buck, New Zealand-born director of Bishop Museum, Honolulu, and lecturer on anthropology at Yale Univer sity, has been given the degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Roches ter. Dr. Buck will return to the Bishop Museum this month.

Killed By

Natives

Another Patrol Officer Lost in N. Guinea

NATIVES in the uncontrolled area near the Sepik River, in the north-western section of the mainland of Man dated New Guinea, on June 30, attacked and killed an Australian, Patrol Officer Neil Campbell Elliott, aged 27, and a native constable, Mr. Elliott was the son of a famous Australian soldier, the late Senator Major- General H. E. Elliott. This is the third young officer of the District Services who had been killed in New Guinea, in at tacks by natives, during the last two years. The other two also were young men noted for outstanding ability—namely Colin Macdonald and Tom Hough.

Mr. Elliott had been stationed for some time at Yapunda, an administration

—Photo, by Courtesy of “Daily Telegraph”. post between the coast and the Sepik River, some 50 miles southward of Aitape.

On June 30, he apparently was engaged in a patrol and, attended by native police, he halted at Wanali village, 10 miles north of Yapunda and about 40 miles south-east of Aitape. He was using the rest-house in the village as his head quarters, when he and his party were suddenly attacked by natives. There are at present no details of the attack, and the cause is not known. -As soon as news was received of the incident, Patrol Officer Shand and a police party hurried to Wanali. This party also was attacked by natives, and was fired upon by men who apparently had taken rifles and ammunition from Mr. Elliott’s party.

XT- 0 ,, 1 uly 4 ’ Assistant District Officer Niall Patrol Officer Nader and a strong detachment of native police left Aitape for Wanali. * buried at Wanali on hwS* J A^ y - 2 -- 1 ? 6 a cadet m the Administration Service in 1936 f„ nC no'o aS Tp romoted t 0 Patrol Officer early’ in 1938. He was at the Sydney University

undergoing special training, in 1938, and, on his return to New Guinea in Septem ber, 1938, he was posted to the Sepik Dis trict. He was a fine type of young man and was held in high regard by his chiefs.

He had spent most of his service, since his appointment as a cadet, in the more difficult areas. He frequently made patrols into the uncontrolled districts and there fore was experienced in handling wild natives.

Patrol Officer Nell Elliott.

Over £2,000,000

New Guinea's Gold Production in 1938-9

From Our Own Correspondent WAU, July 8.

IN the year ended June 30, 1939, the gold output of the Morobe Goldfield was a record, and exceeded in value £2,000,000 (Australian).

The actual figures, at present, are 391,- 026 ounces, valued at £2,041,317, but this may be increased eventually, by about £BO,OOO, owing to the rise in gold values.

The Territory’s administrative revenue, enjoying a royalty of 5 per cent., will benefit by over £lOO,OOO.

Cruisers"

"More And More

Sir W. Carpenter on Pacific Defence

Sir Walter Carpenter, Head Of

the large group of Pacific companies, of which Messrs. W. R. Carpenter and Co. is the chief, returned to Sydney on July 10, after a tour abroad. He was in Europe during the very critical days of March, when Hitler seized Czecho slovakia, and he saw history being made.

He gives comforting assurances about the new strength of Britain: but he is insistent about the need for strong naval forces in the Pacific.

“I am more than ever convinced that Australia’s vital necessity is a strong navy”, he says, “Australia’s naval strength at present is hopelessly inadequate. Australia should join with Britain, New Zealand, and South Africa, if possible, in building a fleet strong enough to make any at tempt by Japan to move southward too dangerous to be undertaken. It is no use spending millions of pounds and waiting three years or more for a bat tleship and a graving dock. We should concentrate on cruisers, with the Singa pore Base as the bulwark of our de fence.

“Britain has battleships to spare, and some could be sent to the Pacific, while Australia should make every effort to ob tain more and still more cruisers for the protection of our long coastline.”

Report of Chinese Refugees

Entering N. Guinea

A REPORT from New Guinea states that, during many months, many Chinese refugees—men, women and children —have been allowed to enter and settle in the Territory.

An official, who recently arrived in Sydney from New Guinea, says there is no truth in the statement that many refugees are arriving. A very few may have come in; but, if so, the fact is not known, or discernible.

Tigers

John Cox and the Wild Tigers

REPORTERS who prowled hopefully over the “Tanda”, in Sydney, on June 22, looking for a story, sighted a broad-brimmed felt hat, with red and blue decorations, above the heads of the crowd on deck. They trailed the un usual headgear, and thus located 6ft.

3in of sun-tanned Irishman, in the person of Mr. John Cox.

Their enterprise was rewarded. For a couple of days afterwards, John Cox, as world-wan derer, Malayan trader, Sumatra tiger - shooter and New Guinea road master, was “front page news” in the Sydney newspapers.

Mr. Cox did not at first realise what was happening to him. By the time he had discovered himself plastered across various jour nals, complete with hat, it was too late to do anything about it. But he hid himself away in the “Tanda” until she sailed for Mel bourne; and, when he returned on her to Sydney, en route

to China, he remained hidden.

It was bad luck for Mr. Cox, who loves human companionship, makes friends wherever he goes, and will talk to anyone about his queer adventures in many lands. But, now, he classifies re porters with wild tigers.

Before he left Namatanai, New Guinea, on long furlough, Mr, Cox was the guest of honour at a dinner given by the planters, who warmly praised the good work of Mr. Cox in building roads and bridges in their district.

Mr. John Cox, complete with hat.

Islands Monthly

World-Wide Circulation of Pacific Islands Monthly

WITH this issue, the “Pacific Islands Monthly” completes nine years of continuous publication. The usual index for the year—namely for Volume 9 —is printed at the back of this issue.

We take this opportunity of expressing, to our subscribers and advertisers, our appreciation of their valuable and con sistent support, which has made the sound establishment of this journal pos sible. The ‘‘Pacific Islands Monthly” has its critics —particularly regarding its activity on matters relating to admini stration in the several territories —but at least we can claim that it has given real service to the residents of the Pacific Islands, insofar that it has created an amount of interest in Pacific Islands affairs that was not dreamed of in 1929.

It may interest subscribers to know that the journal not only has a large established circulation in every territory of the Pacific, south of the equator, but it also has a remarkable growing circula tion in other countries. It is probable that, with the single exception of the Sydney “Bulletin”, there is no Australian publication which goes in such large numbers to so many different countries.

Advertisements & other items, p. 6 (1 item)

4

July 15, 193 9—P acific Islands Monthly

Bogus Books

p. 7

How Indian Hemp Was Smuggled into Fiji

AN ingenious system of smuggling “Indian hemp” (a forbidden nar cotic) into Fiji through the Post Of fice, was discovered recently, and one of the Indians concerned was fined £lOO.

For some time, the authorities sus pected that the drug was entering the Colony in considerable quantities, but the method of transport was long a my stery. Then the attention of someone was directed to the number of Indian magazines coming in by post, and soon the whole plan was uncovered.

Certain people in India kept a stock of old Bombay railway timetables—thick, chunky books. They cut the centre por tion right out of them, leaving the covers and edges of the pages intact, and into each little compartment thus created they put two ounces of Indian hemp wrap ped in a sheet of rubber. The timetable was then carefully covered, so that it looked like a magazine, and was pre pared for posting.

Meanwhile, in Fiji, other Indians had rented a number of Post Office letter boxes. By each mail, there arrived what apparently were Indian magazines, ad dressed to what apparently were mem bers of the Indian community. The cus toms and postal clerks did not attempt to examine them, and sorted them at once into the boxes to which they were ad dressed. Actually, the names were all fictitious, and the boxes were all rented by one gang.

In May, the Fiji police set a watch upon certain postal boxes; and an In dian named Bhirgu was caught when taking the packages out of one box, while the key of another box, also con taining packages of the drug, was in his hand. Bhirgu declared that he was merely acting for another Indian, Chotk han: but Bhirgu had been caught, and

Chotkhan was not, so Bhirgu, on June 13, was fined £lOO, or four months’ gaol.

Thus, for the moment, has the In dian hemp trade in Fiji been broken up.

A Strange

p. 7

Visitor

£1,000 Lighter on Reef in Samoa

Prom Our Own Correspondent APIA. June 29.

A MOTOR launch from Savaii, on June 22, reported to the Harbourmaster at Apia that it had noticed a strange craft on the reef at Faleula, westward of Apia.

The Harbourmaster (Captain D. Mc- Clymont) went out and found that the vessel was a lighter, which he towed to Apia.

At first, the appearance and charac ter of the lighter was a complete my stery; but inquiries showed that it be longed to Pan American Airways.

It is a covered steel barge and was specially built for fuelling and anchor ing the Clipper planes of Pan Ameri can Airways. It was last used at Pago Pago, to fuel the “Samoan Clipper”, be fore her last disastrous flight in Janu ary, 1938. Since then it had been lying in Pago Pago. Recently, it was decided to transfer the lighter to the new base at Canton Island, and the U.S.S. “Roger Taney” was towing the lighter to Can ton Island, one night about four weeks ago, when the towline parted and the lighter disappeared into the darkness, and could not be found.

It is calculated that the value of the lighter is at least £l,OOO, and the launch owner who discovered the craft prob ably will be entitled to a substantial sal vage payment.

Notorious lle de Nou

pp. 7-8

To Be Seaplane Station on Trans pacific Air Route

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, June 25.

A SMALL army of workmen, under the direction of technical experts sent out by Pan American Airways, Ltd., is now busy preparing a seaplane base at Noumea, in New Caledonia.

The base is being called Nouville. and it is on the island directly opposite the town of Noumea. This is the once notor ious He de Nou, and on it there still re main the great prisons which housed the convicts sent from France.

In more recent times, these old build ings have been used to house the thou sands of Javanese labourers, who are brought in periodically from Java, em ployed for two or three years on the mines and plantations, and then repatriated.

The He de Nou, lying opposite Noumea, helps to enclose the sheltered water which is the port of Noumea.

A special water supply, electric light and power, a meteorological station, and all other modem requirements are being in stalled. The He de Nou. which was once the melancholy home of so much human misery and horror, will in future be an important station on one of the main trans-Pacific aerial routes—a place where lighthearted tourists may spend a few hours under tropical surroundings while on their way between New Zealand (or Australia) and North America.

It is generally expected in Noumea that Pan American Airways will attempt their first test flight between Noumea and Auckland in July; but there is as yet no indication that a suitable seaplane will then be available.

2,000,000 Francs Being Spent

The “Bulletin du Commerce” of June 17 says that the work, which will cost

more than 2,000.000 francs, will comprise: A large pumping station for the re fuelling of the seaplanes; a jetty, equip ped with a crane, which will be con structed close to the former military post; a depot for material; workshops and office; a large hall for the accommoda tion of passengers and crew; and various structures to meet the need of P.A.

All buildings will be erected in modem style, surrounded by lawns, after the American fashion.

In a comparatively short time, the ap pearance of Nouville will be completely changed. This part of the island will re present a miniature city, where great activity will be afoot with giant seaplanes, which will arrive four times per month two will come fortnightly from San Francisco-Honolulu-Canton Island, and two will return from Auckland to San Francisco, with the same itinerary and regularity, every 15 days.

For the radio station, which will be in constant touch with the seaplanes, the property of M. Steinmetz, at Magenta, has been chosen, after close study and examination of the region of Nouville, Brun Isle, and the district surrounding Noumea for a favourable zone.

The P.A. technicians, with complete portable material and little motor, have conducted experiments on the property of M. Steinmetz. They are in touch with the Company’s station on Canton (Phoenix Islands), which is an airport on the San Francisco-New Zealand route. If suit able results are obtained from these ex periments which have lasted several days, arrangements will be made for the erec tion of the necessary works.

Passengers arriving at Noumea in the afternoon, will remain one night in the town and will depart the next day.

It is probable that, at some future time, the seaplanes will call at Brisbane, but the project is still indefinite—nothing official has yet been established.

Sydney-Auckland Air Mail

British Imperial Airways are pushing on steadily with their preparations to make test flights between Sydney and Auckland and between Auckland and Suva. It is officially announced that the Sydney-Auckland air mail will commence in October.

Rapid Preparation Of Seaplane Base At Canton Is.

p. 7

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Honolulu, June 26.

A CONSTRUCTION crew of 75 Ame ricans is making rapid progress on the air base at Canton Island, for use by Pan American Airways planes on the projected Hawaii-Canton-Noumea- Auckland service.

In the great 5-miles lagoon at Canton, the construction gang is dynamiting a runway through the coral heads, 8,000 ft.

long and 2,000 ft, wide. Minimum depth will be 7 ft.

The channel into the Canton lagoon is too shallow to permit entry of regular vessels, so much time is being consumed, moving some 5,000 tons of equipment from lighters into the lagoon, and on to new AmeriCan CamP » a - One important job is the distillation of water suitable for “domestic” uses

from the ocean. Little rain falls at Can ton Island.

The P.A.A. village is some 200 yards from the camps of the British and American official “colonists”, who have been resident at Canton Is. for two years, This nhotoaranh—the first nublished tions—shows the equipment lying on the inner beach, which faces the large la goon which will be used by the clippers.

XThf Hfeh Courf “wLe"

p. 8

Unusual Mass

Trai L

Chinese and Samoan Women Convicted of cohabitation

XThf Hfeh Courf “wLe"

1 oa 0 f 21 when 34 Chinese labourers (at present employed on the New Zealand Reparation Estates) and 34 Samoan women were lined up, and convicted of the offence of cohabitating.

There is a law in Western Samoa which says that Samoan women must not live with Chinese coolies on European plan tations.

The Chinese were ordered to come up f o r sentence within three months. The women, many of whom had small child ren with them in the Court, were sen tenced to three days’ in prison, after which they were to be sent back to their villages. The village chiefs were made responsible for seeing that the women did not return to the Chinese.

The New Zealand authorities are de termined to stop this cohabitation. On moral and social grounds, they doubtless are right. it is well known, however, that the Chinese treat their Samoan “wives” kindly and generously, and a home with a Chinaman is eagerly sought. Ethnolo gically, it has been shown that the off spring of a Chinese-Polynesian union are acclaimed the healthiest, brightest, handsomest and most industrious people in the Pacific.

Samoan Launch In

p. 8

Breakdown

fIIHE Samoan Government launch, JL “Pilot”, with mails and passengers, left Apia on June 29 for Pago, to connect with the “Monterey” en route from Australia to America; but it did not arrive at Pago on June 30.

The launch “Amy” left Apia, and two vessels left Pago, to search. The “Amy” found “Pilot” with a broken shaft; and it picked up passengers and mails and transferred them to the “Monterey”.

Native Police

p. 8

White Man Battered by Native Police Recent Vila Incident Reflects Badly Upon N. Hebrides Officials

A PARTY of firemen, off the S.S.

“Morinda”, while in Port Vila (New Hebrides), on May 23, were at one of the French bars in the rue Biggin son. Some misunderstanding arose which resulted in the French Command ant of native police arriving on the scene, with some of his native police, into whose custody he handed two of the stokers.

The Frenchman was not in uniform, nor is he able to speak English. One of the stokers resisted arrest, and was dragged along the street by several na tive police, who hammered him with their batons.

Three times, along the street, the batoning of the European was stopped by white men; and the stoker was at length allowed to get away.

This stoker fainted, somewhere on the outskirts of the town. On regaining con sciousness, bleeding and half-naked, he made his way back to the Burns Philp wharf, to await a launch to take him to his ship. A squad of British native police arrived, in charge of a native ser geant, who told the stoker that he had orders to arrest him. So as not to make any further scene, the stoker decided to go with them quietly. En route, the party was met by the British Commander of Native Police.

The man was then taken to the French Police Station, lodged in a cell, and then charged by the British Com mander of police with being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting a police offi cer.

At the subsequent court proceedings, where this man was arraigned, with two of his mates, the stokers claimed that they had been improperly deprived of a bottle of brandy which they had bought: and, when they protested, they were at tacked and ejected.

Evidence was produced that the man who was battered by the native police was neither drunk nor disorderly. The judge found him not guilty, on both charges.

The charge of being drunk and dis orderly was also dismissed in the case of a second fireman; and a third, who pleaded guilty to drunkenness, was fined 5/-.

Such misunderstandings, between peo ple speaking different languages, may occur among the quietest people. But the notorious Condominium of the New Hebrides seems to be the only place where white men can be arrested and manhandled by native police. There have been other similar cases in Vila; and always it has been visiting British men who have become involved, and the manhandling has been done by the French native police.

Apparently well-informed people who have sent this information to the “P.1.M.”, say that the fault lies with cer tain French and British major officials “who are too high and mighty to use a little ordinary tact”. They also say that “the French native police in Vila are an ill-disciplined body, very cheeky, and with little respect for white men, French or English”.

Mr. A. Ulfsby, of Rarotonga, Cook Is lands, where he has been a resident for 10 years, arrived in Sydney in July on his way home to Norway.

Wedding In

Western

Samoa

On June 7, at Apia Protestant Church, Western Samoa, Miss Isobel Toothe was married to Mr. James Knox, of the local Burns, Philp staff. The group shows: Front row.—Miss Marion Edwards (brides maid), the bridegroom, the bride. Miss Joan Marston (flower girl). Miss Mavis Edwards (bridesmaid).

Back row.—Mr. L. Cook (groomsman); Mr. J.

Parkhouse (best man).

Advertisements & other items, p. 8 (1 item)

6

July 15, 193 9—P acific Islands Monthly

Urgent Search For

Labour

What New Guinea Has been Doing

Letter to the Editor IN regard to your article on the Native Labour Problem in New Guinea, in the June number, it may interest you to know that New Guinea applied for Javanese labour last year and was re fused.

Only certain countries may apply for Javanese and (I believe) Tonkinese la bour —those countries where the practice of permitting such contracts of labour has become an established custom. There is no intention to extend the privilege to other countries.

On this refusal, the New Guinea Ad ministration applied to the Dutch au thorities for permission to recruit labour in Dutch New Guinea. This, again, was refused —and for the reason that they need all the labour they can command for their own enterprise.

Thereupon, New Guinea approached Papua for permission to recruit labour.

Again, they were turned down—and not unreasonably. It is suspected that it was with the object of removing this last restriction that certain New Guinea in terests supported the idea of amalga mation.

So, you see, the New Guinea Adminis tration really has done its best, and failed. This information is 0.K.. but for some reason which I do not understand it has been suppressed.

I am, etc.,

Rabaulite.

Sydney, July 1, 1939.

Old "Makambo"

Reported Sold to Japanese

THE old Burns, Philp steamer “Makambo”, known to two genera tions of Pacific Islands people, has been sold to the Japanese.

She had been last in use in the New Hebrides, for inter-island communica tion; and, finally, she was laid up in Port Vila, out of commission. It is reported there that she was sold to a German planter for £lOO, and that he, in turn, sold her to Japanese interests for about £6OO.

The S.S. “Makambo” (1,100 tons), on the beach at Vila, New Hebrides, where she was run ashore at the end of 1935, after nearly 30 years running in the B.P. services.

Gilberts Chief Celebrates Silver Jubilee

Kaiea, the Chief of Makin, Gilbert Islands, and his wife, were escorted through the village, drawn in this decorated cart, when the silver jubilee of his accession to the chiefship was celebrated recently.— (Photo, by C. Kanzaki).

Britain, U.S.A. and France Cordial Meetings

France Cordial Meetings in The Pacific

CORDIAL friendship between Britain, France and the United States in the Pacific has been seen lately in a series of official visits.

A French official party recently was overwhelmed by hospitality in Auckland, N.Z.

At the end of May, the Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (Sir Harry Luke) made an official call, at Noumea, upon the Governor of New Caledonia and High Commissioner for France in the Pacific.

His party, and the men of the British warship on which they travelled, were very warmly received by the French.

The Governor of American Samoa, Captain E. W. Hanson, U.S.N., and a party, including administrative officers and three Samoan chiefs, arrived in Suva on June 21 in the U.S.S. “Ontario”, sta tion ship from the Pago Pago naval sta tion, on an official visit.

After firing a salute of 21 guns, which was answered by H.M.S. ’’Leith, the “On tario” berthed beside the “Leith”, and Governor Hanson landed and was met on the wharf by the Governor's Deputy, the Hon. Juxon Barton, C.M.G.. 0.8. E..

Commander G. R. Waymouth, of H.M.S.

“Leith”, and several Government offi cials.

The “Ontario” sailed on the return journey on June 25, after a series of of ficial functions and entertainments.

Air Base In New Hebrides

r ERE is a report current in Sydney that one of the numerous air bases which are being prepared in the Pacific Islands, will be located at Port Stanley, near the plantation of Mr. E.

Corlette, on Malekula Island, in the New Hebrides. It is stated that this will be an ideal site for aeroplanes, and that a sea plane base in the vicinity is also possible.

During the Western Pacific High Com missioner’s recent visit to the New Hebrides, an officer from H.M.S. “Welling ton” commented very favourably on the Brakor Lagoon, on Efate Island, as a sea plane base (says our Vila correspondent).

He estimated that the broad upper pool of

this Lagoon has a suitable landing area of at least a square mile. It is sheltered on the north, east and south-east by hills and thickly wooded slopes; and its waters are quite calm at all seasons of the year.

Mr, Tulsi Ram Sharma has been ad mitted to the Fiji Bar as a barrister and solicitor, on the motion of Sir Henry Scott, by His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Owen Corrie.

Banno's Tongan